On Thursday, April 27 at approximately 3:51 p.m., Strathmore General Investigation Section (GIS) members with assistance from Drumheller GIS and Strathmore General Duty members arrested a male and female in connection to an ongoing drug trafficking investigation in the parking lot of a local retail store.
At approximately 4:35 p.m., Strathmore GIS executed a search warrant on the individuals’ home in the 800 block of Brentwood Crescent. Assistance from the Southern Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team was utilized to safely clear the residence.
“The results of this investigation are a culmination of the dedicated efforts of our Detachment members to keep our community safe from the harms of the illicit drug trade. I’d like to pass along my thanks to the community for their support and assistance in this investigation which helped lead to the arrests and seizures made in this investigation,” said Strathmore RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Mark Wielgosz.
The home, and the occupants vehicle were searched which resulted in the seizure of approximately $8,000 in cash; approximately 17 grams of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $1,700; approximately 70 grams of suspected fentanyl with an estimated street value of $13,930; approximately 41 grams of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $2,490; and two semi-automatic .22 caliber handguns.
Both subjects were transported to the Strathmore Detachment.
The female, a 22 year old resident of Strathmore was released to appear in Provincial Court on a future date to face three counts of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance.
The male, identified as David Vanderlaan, a 49 year old resident of Strathmore was held for a bail hearing and charged with 20 offences including three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking; Trafficking in a Controlled Substance; Possession of a Controlled Stubstance; Possession of a Loaded Prohibited Firearm; two counts of Knowing Possession of a Prohibited Firearm without a License; two counts of Possession of a Prohibited Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order; two counts of Careless Handling of a Prohibited Firearm; three counts of Failure to Comply with a Condition of a Probation Order; and five counts of Failure to Comply with a Condition of a Release Order.
Vanderlaan was remanded into custody to appear in Provincial Court at a later date.
At the time of his arrest, Vanderlaan was on release for another matter in Calgary on six drug charges and two firearms offences. He was also bound by a probation order resulting from convictions on drug, weapons, and conditions offences.
If you have any information regarding criminal activity in your neighbourhood, including the trafficking of drugs, please contact the Strathmore RCMP at 403-934-3968. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

Drumheller Health Centre is diverting obstetrical patients between Thursday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 16 due to “ongoing staffing challenges,” according to a letter from Alberta Health Services (AHS).
During this period, obstetrical patients who are in labour will still receive assessment at the emergency department of the Drumheller Health Centre and will then be diverted to another facility for an in-hospital delivery; if it is not safe to transfer a patient, or if delivery is imminent, a physician may travel with the patient by ambulance, or the patient may be transferred to another facility following delivery.
“We recognize that such diversions can be concerning for both patients and our teams,” reads a statement from Alberta Health Services. “This is a necessary measure at this time in the interest of patient safety.”
Dr. Rithesh Ram of Riverside Medical tells the Mail this is not the first time a diversion has taken place, and says it is not for a lack of physicians. He adds the diversion is “horrible” and “very disheartening,” for both patients and physicians.
“Physicians are available to work, this is an operations and scheduling issue (at an AHS level),” Dr. Ram says.
Dr. Laurel Smith, a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist at Drumheller Associated Physicians, also echoed the diversion is not because of physician shortages, but rather due to a lack of obstetrical nursing staff at the hospital.
“We are providing office care and will be available for assessment at the hospital during this diversion,” Dr. Smith said in a statement to the Mail.
While the statement from AHS notes there are about two or three patients who are anticipated to deliver within the two week diversion period, Dr. Smith notes these are only the patients who are due.
She says, in the nature of obstetrics, the true number of patients impacted by the diversion could be much higher, and acknowledges the additional stress and anxiety the diversion can have on both the patient and physician.
Dr. Ram feels the biggest concern is that the Drumheller Health Centre is not on the radar of Alberta Health Services.
Earlier this year, in April, the Alberta government and AHS announced the Alberta Surgical Initiative, which will provide $80 million in funding in the 2023 provincial budget to expand surgical capacity in 15 communities.
However, despite efforts by the Drumheller Standing Committee on Health to advocate the Drumheller Health Centre as a rural healthcare hub, the facility was not included among those communities, and Dr. Ram says this ties directly into the diversion.
Despite the diversion, obstetrical patients who are in labour are encouraged to report to the emergency department at the Drumheller Health Centre where they will be assessed prior to transfer. Currently, patients are being diverted to Stettler or Red Deer for obstetrical care, including high risk and cesarean sections.