Charges laid in steroid, cash, and property seizure in Edmonton, Alberta

Five people have been charged with several offences after search warrants led to the seizure of cash, property, and anabolic steroids, as well as the discovery of a residential lab used to produce and package the illicit drug.

“Despite people’s opinions about steroids and the use of steroids, the distribution and sale of it is illegal in Canada,” says Inspector Greg Preston with the EPS Organized Crime Branch. “Police officers have the legal and ethical obligation to follow through on investigations into all types of illegal activities in this community.”

“What should be concerning to potential users is that it appears some of the steroids were being processed and packaged for injections in a makeshift lab in someone’s home,” Preston adds. “As in any uncontrolled laboratory, there are no guarantees on the cleanliness or contents of the product being made.”

On Tuesday, Aug. 24, officers with the Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement (EDGE) Unit conducted a traffic stop and subsequent search on a 2009 Mercedes. Officers seized a variety of anabolic steroids and prescription drugs worth approximately $40,000, three cell phones, $3,800 cash, and an extendable baton. The vehicle, estimated to be worth $70,000, was also seized.

The traffic stop initiated an exhaustive investigation that led to numerous search warrants over the following week.

On Wednesday, Aug. 25 a search warrant occurred at 141 Avenue and 136 Street along with the search of a vehicle leaving the home. Inside the vehicle officers seized bags containing shredded documents and labels. They also seized over $11,000 in cash. Also on Aug. 25, EDGE Unit officers searched an apartment on 129 Avenue and 64 Street. Officers seized a variety of illicit drugs in both liquid and pill form, worth an estimated value of $200,000.

On Thursday, Aug. 26, officers searched a home on 140 Street and 158A Avenue where they discovered what appeared to be a lab where the drugs were being mixed and packaged. That same day officers searched a PO Box in Sherwood Park and seized over $3,000 in cash.

On Friday, Aug. 27, EDGE Unit officers conducted a search warrant on a safety deposit box at a bank in north Edmonton where they located $142,000 in cash. That same day a search warrant was conducted at a home on 145 Avenue and 19 Street, resulting in the seizure of a Lexus and two Firebirds estimated at a total value of $130,000 and a utility trailer worth about $30,000.

On Monday, Aug. 30, a search of another safety deposit box in a north Edmonton bank resulted in the seizure of about $80,000.

The overall investigation resulted in the seizure of: $240,000 in cash seized as proceeds of crime; about $230,000 worth of offence-related property; and approximately $250,000 worth of illicit drugs, mainly anabolic steroids.

Troy Charles Fougere, 26, was charged with 24 counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking; two counts of possession of the proceeds of crime under $5,000; two counts of possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000; and one count of production.

Trevor Raymond Fougere, 25, was charged with one count of possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

Susan Ann Fougere, 52, was charged with two counts of possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

Charles William Fougere, 53, was charged with three counts of possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

Brock Reginald Chichak, 25, was charged with one count of production.