Trio charged in Calgary drug trafficking operation, $90K in contraband seized

Calgary police have laid charges against three people after a months-long investigation led to the seizure of thousand of dollars in drugs.

It started in July when officers from the District 4 Operations Team, with help from the Calgary Police Service Tactical Unit, Canine Unit, District 4 Community Engagement Response Team, and District 4 patrol, launched an investigation into three people suspected of drug trafficking.

A search warrant was executed on Oct. 25 at multiple homes connected to the suspects, police explain. These included locations on 39 Street SE, Manora Crescent NE, and Inverlake Road in Rocky View County.

Items seized included approximately 502.3 grams of suspected cocaine, worth an estimated street value of $50,230, 434.6 grams of suspected fentanyl, worth an estimated street value of $43,460, 152 grams of suspected methamphetamine, worth an estimated street value of $3,040, and approximately 388 pills of suspected gabapentin.

Officers also found 20 cartons of contraband cigarettes, a Ruger 10/22 rifle, $2,000 cash, and a digital weigh scale.

Christopher Wade Smith, 53, is charged with four counts of possession of controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking, one count of careless storage of a firearm, one count of unauthorized possession of a firearm, one count of fraud under $5,000, one count of proceeds of crime under $5,000, and one count of trafficking in contraband tobacco.

He is set to appear in court on Nov. 26.

Fifty-five-year-old Dion Lynn Butler is charged with four counts of possession of controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking, and one count of proceeds of crime under $5,000. Their next court appearance was Friday.

Cortney Ellen Deneve, 36, has been charged with four counts of possession of controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking, one count of careless storage of a firearm, one count of unauthorized possession of a firearm, one count of trafficking in contraband tobacco, and two counts of breach of a release order. Her next court appearance is Nov. 21.

Anyone with information about suspected drug trafficking in Calgary is asked to call the police non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or tip anonymously through CrimeStoppers.