Proactive patrols lead to drug trafficking arrest

A man has been charged with drug trafficking after being located by an officer conducting proactive patrols in disorder hotspots downtown.

Around 2 a.m., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, an officer was patrolling in the East Village area when he came across a suspicious vehicle parked along Dermot Baldwin Way S.E. A query of the licence plate identified the potential owner of the vehicle as a person who was on multiple release conditions and wanted on warrants out of British Columbia.

The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and while speaking with the driver, observed items consistent with drug trafficking. The driver was arrested for breach of conditions and possession of a controlled substance. A search revealed:

·       Drug paraphernalia and items consistent with drug trafficking (pipe, baggies, scale, spoon etc.)

·       159 grams of cocaine

·       1.25 kg of GHB

·       Cell phones

·       Cash

In total, the seized drugs have an estimated street value of more than $22,000. Photos of the seized items are available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

Brian Leonard MCCAGHREN, 45, of British Columbia, is charged with three counts of failure to comply with a release order and three counts of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking. He will next appear in court on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025.

“We remain committed to creating safe public spaces in our city. Our expectation is that downtown residents and visitors should be able to walk in our neighbourhoods without fear for their safety. Drug dealers who prey on, and make profit from, our most vulnerable Calgarians by conducting drug trafficking, especially near shelters and public spaces, are not welcome in our community,” says District 1 Inspector Jason Bobrowich.

To learn more about what we are doing to create a Safer Calgary, visit Creating Safe Public Spaces.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips

Case #CA25528834/6040