Two Alberta men charged after drone delivers drugs into Drumheller prison

An Edmonton and Cold Lake man have been arrested after a package containing methamphetamine, cell phones, nicotine patches and fentanyl was found at the Drumheller Institution, allegedly delivered by a drone.

In November 2023, staff from the Correctional Service of Canada at the Drumheller Institution reported that they found a package containing several illegal items.

"Drumheller RCMP General Investigations Section (GIS) officers initiated a drug trafficking investigation and located a drone near the Drumheller Institution believed to be used to smuggle the contraband into the institution," according to information from RCMP.

"As the investigation progressed, Drumheller GIS obtained assistance from Several RCMP units including the Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Federal Serious and Organized Crime, Cold Lake GIS, Cold Lake General Duty, Digital Forensic Services, Forensic Identification Section, Firearm Support Services, the National Firearms Tracing Centre, and also from the Edmonton Police Service Robbery Unit."

On April 17, 2024, RCMP from Drumheller and Cold Lake executed a search warrant on a residence in Cold Lake.

"As a result of the search warrant, police located supporting evidence of drug trafficking into an institution, including drones and drone parts," according to RCMP. Police say they also found a handgun.

"On the same date, Drumheller GIS executed a search warrant on a vehicle, believed related, that was seized by the Edmonton Police Robbery Unit. Additional evidence supporting drug trafficking into an institution was located, including cell phones and evidence of drone use," according to RCMP.

Chance Dunne, 39, from Cold Lake and Daniel Mcdonald, 34, a resident of Edmonton, were jointly charged with conspiracy to commit the indictable offence of trafficking a controlled drug, and trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Dunne and Charessa Slade, a 26-year-old resident of Bonnyville, were jointly charged with possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm without holding a license, and possessio of a firearm knowing the serial number had been altered, defaced or removed.

Dunne is also facing other charges and is in custody on unrelated matters. He is set to appear in Drumheller court on March 28. 

Slade was arrested by Cold Lake GIS on Jan. 21, 2025, and released on an undertaking.

An arrest warrant was issued for Daniel McDonald, who was arrested by Wetaskiwin RCMP on Jan. 30 and was waiting on a bail hearing.