By rdnewsNOW staff

Two charged

Red Deer RCMP arrest second suspect involved in alleged drug manufacturing operation

Oct 21, 2025 | 12:50 PM

Red Deer RCMP have arrested the second male wanted by police after RCMP dismantled an alleged drug manufacturing operation in north Red Deer earlier this month.

On Oct. 20, 2025, they arrested 50-year-old John Knox of Red Deer on charges of possession of items for the manufacturing of fentanyl, and possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking.

Following a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, he was remanded into custody to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on Oct. 23.

The other man, who was previously arrested for the same matter on Oct. 8, has been identified as 33-year-old Wade Sperling of Red Deer. He is in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 23.

In late July, Red Deer RCMP General Investigation Section received details about suspicious activities at a commercial business, which led to a police search of the property on July 25.

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The search was done with assistance from the Alberta RCMP Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response Team (CLEAR) and Red Deer Emergency Services.

Police share that the search led to the discovery and seizure of significant quantities of precursor chemicals, substances, laboratory equipment, and other materials used in the manufacturing of illicit fentanyl. RCMP also seized 1735 grams of finished fentanyl product.

On Oct. 8, following nearly three months of investigation, RCMP searched a home in Red Deer’s Normandeau area, and with assistance from several units, including General Duty, Downtown Patrol, the Crime Reduction Team, and Police Dog Services, they seized electronic devices, laptops, forged documents, and equipment used for the creation of forged documents.

Red Deer RCMP thank the public for reporting suspicious activity, which assisted police in the successful seizures and arrest. If you have any information regarding crime within Red Deer, please contact Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200. 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. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.