(rdnewsNOW/Ian Gustafson)

By Ian Gustafson

Near schools

“We have a safe community,” Sylvan Lake RCMP’s top cop says following significant bust of drugs and weapons

May 13, 2025 | 2:52 PM

Sylvan Lake RCMP detachment Staff Sergeant Jay Peden expressed his belief that Sylvan Lake is still a safe community despite a significant seizure of drugs and weapons there last month.

“Like everywhere in Alberta, there are drugs and substances that do affect our community and population. Previous search warrants conducted in Sylvan Lake have not yielded anything of this magnitude,” Peden said during a media conference Tuesday morning.

“This here is a significant seizure. During the last 10-15 years I can honestly say nothing like this has been seized here.”

On April 17, after a brief investigation into firearms, the RCMP conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle leaving a residence on Falcon Crescent.

Two individuals were arrested after officers located cocaine and over $5,000 cash on one of the suspects as a result of the traffic stop.

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The vehicle was towed pending a search warrant to search the vehicle. However, RCMP were able to conduct a search warrant on the aforementioned home.

They located two loaded handguns, a loaded shotgun, a loaded semi-automatic assault rifle, a hunting rifle, and an excess of one kilogram of ketamine. Additionally, they seized approximately $12,990 in cash.

The next day, RCMP obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and located three-and-a-half ounces of cocaine, plus another loaded handgun.

Sylvan Lake RCMP received assistance in the investigation from Blackfalds RCMP General Investigations Section, Red Deer Crime Reduction Team, Sylvan Lake General Investigations Section, and general duty front line members in Sylvan Lake.

(rdnewsNOW/Ian Gustafson)

As a result, RCMP have arrested and charged 41-year-old Jesse Bergstrom, 39-year-old Katie Leanne Cameron, and 48-year-old Samantha Elizabeth Lind. All three are residents of Sylvan Lake.

Bergstrom was charged with with possession for the purpose of trafficking; possession of property obtained by crime; nine counts of weapon/firearms offences; and two counts of possession of a firearms contrary to order.

He was taken before a Justice of the Peace, then remanded into custody, but has since been released for future court dates.

Cameron was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking; possession of property obtained by crime; and nine counts of weapon/firearms offences. She was taken before a Justice of the Peace and released on bail.

Lind, who was arrested a different day, was charged with the same offences as Cameron and was released for a future court date.

When asked if the seizure raises any broader concerns of safety in the community, Peden reiterated that Sylvan is safe, crediting the steps taken by the municipality to make it a family-friendly community.

He also emphasized the dedication of front line members to maintain community safety.

At the end of the day, he said, the seizure of weapons and drugs of this stature, in Sylvan Lake, is a rarity.

“The ability for us to remove this from the streets will not only affect Sylvan Lake and make it a safer community, but it also impact central Alberta,” he said.

“To the citizens of Sylvan Lake and even central Alberta, we have a safe community. We’re also dedicated to targeting guns and drugs to continue to make it a safe community and a positive place for people to live. With that, the public can help us do that. If you hear anything or see anything, call Crime Stoppers, report it to our detachment, and we will continue to do the work to maintain the level of safety we have.”

It was additionally noted that the weapons and drugs seized near two schools in the community — Fox Run School and Ecole Mother Teresa School.

Although Peden is proud of the detachment for getting the weapons and drugs off the street, he said the fact schools were nearby is disturbing.

“It could be your neighbour, it could be the person down the block, or even in the middle of an industrial area. It doesn’t have any boundaries,” he said. “In this case, the individuals’ residence was close to a school which did elevate things a little for us [in terms of] risk. However, that risk was mitigated and it was a safe execution of a warrant.”

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Meanwhile, Sylvan Lake Mayor Megan Hanson expressed concern by the findings, but also has gratitude for the work done by RCMP.

“This is terrifying to know it’s in your community,” she said. “I don’t think this is the world that most of us that live here live in, and we’re just not always aware what is taking place in our neighbourhoods. I’m glad it’s found, but I sure hope it creates a greater conversation around safety and how we all need to look out for each other.”

Hanson also looks at Sylvan Lake as a safe community which is why the news of the seizure to her was surprising.

“This is a community that’s really known for being great to families and a great place to grow your family. This isn’t the Sylvan Lake that most of us know, but it certainly is a reality and I’m glad we have the RCMP here to ensure we’re all safe.”