Pubdate: Thu, 29 Jun 2017
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2017 Postmedia Network
Contact:  http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Bryan Passifiume
Page: A1

NEIGHBOURS CHEER POLICE AS SUSPECTED DRUG HOUSE BUSTED

Officers lay 45 charges and seize weapons and drugs in swoop on
Applewood home

Police are crediting tips from the public in shutting down a suspected
Applewood drug house that resulted in 45 criminal charges against two
people.

A search warrant executed June 22 at a home on Applecroft Road S.E.
yielded drugs, weapons and cash - and, according to Sgt. Nick Wilsher,
a return to normalcy for area residents.

"It affects the community itself so much," Wilsher said Wednesday,
speaking to media at police headquarters.

"This address impacted the community that much - when we'd executed
the warrant and the people had been taken away, residents of the whole
street actually came out and applauded the police, they were so grateful."

Members of the community first tipped police in May about suspected
drug activity at the home.

The investigation culminated in last week's search warrant and arrest
of the home's two residents, leading to seizure of a wide variety of
illicit drugs, associated paraphernalia, cash and weapons.

Trevor Honish, 49, and Tara Sprayson, 34, both face numerous drugs,
weapons and trafficking charges in connection with the seizure.

Drugs confiscated by police include 142 grams of marijuana, 47 grams
of crystal meth, 17 grams of crack, various opiate-based painkillers
and 3.9 grams of psilocybin - a hallucinogenic drug also known as
magic mushrooms.

Police also seized cellphones, two rifles, ammunition, stun sticks and
$2,559 in cash.

Wilsher said investigators rely on tips from the public in these sorts
of investigations, and said options are available for those hesitant
to reach out to police out of fear of reprisals - as was the situation
in the Applewood case.

"Knowing that we couldn't get a statement, for the people were very
afraid, we were able to refer them to Safer Communities and
Neighbourhoods (SCAN,)" he said.

"They're able to take anonymous calls and then investigate."

Run by the Alberta Sheriffs, the SCAN program allows residents to
anonymously report properties used for organized crime, drugs,
prostitution or child exploitation.

"Residents of the community are our eyes and ears," Wilsher
said.

"They know what is out of place in their community far better than we
would notice."
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MAP posted-by: Matt