On April 17, 2025, Vegreville RCMP received a complaint of a suspicious vehicle in Minburn County, Alta.
Upon arriving on scene, Vegreville noted the vehicle had been reported stolen and arrested the man found inside. A search of the vehicle incidental to arrest resulted in the seizure of 700 ml of GHB, sometimes known as the “Date Rape Drug.” Further investigation revealed an address in Vegreville where the GHB was being produced.
On April 19, 2025, after obtaining a search warrant for the residence, Vegreville RCMP, assisted by the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) team, with Vegreville Fire and EMS on standby in case of fire or contamination, attended the residence and executed the warrant.
The search resulted in seizure of 38 liters of suspected 1,4-Butanediol (BD), a GHB precursor, and 12 litres of GHB, as well as the dismantling of the lab. Furthermore, arrest warrants were issued for two individuals linked to the residence. The warrants are still outstanding.
As a result of the investigation into the suspicious vehicle, Jeremy Donald Blackwell (42), a resident of Edmonton, was charged with:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x2);
- Possession of GHB; and
- Obstruct police officer.
Blackwell was brought before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody. He is to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Vegreville on May 12, 2025.
“I would like to thank the public for their vigilance and the trust they showed us by calling in suspicious activity” said S. Sgt Collin Folk, Detachment Commander of the Vegreville RCMP. “Thanks to the public, and the great work done by Vegreville RCMP members, local partners and the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s CLEAR team, we were able to dismantle a lab that was producing drugs that could have had a very negative impact on our community and those around us.”
“When it comes to dismantling clan labs, which are highly toxic environments, it’s not just about taking down illegal operations – it’s about protecting entire communities,” said Supt. Sean Boser, Officer in Charge of Federal Serious and Organized Crime – Alberta, RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region. “This investigation is an excellent reminder of the power of collaboration between law enforcement, first responders and the public.”
Cpl Mathew Howell
Alberta RCMP
