A 59-year-old Carstairs man faces multiple charges following an RCMP investigation that uncovered a butane extraction lab, firearms, and illicit drugs.
On Oct. 16, 2024, Didsbury RCMP initiated an investigation after information was received that suspects were using a butane extractor and were in possession of multiple controlled substances. Didsbury RCMP requested assistance from the Airdrie RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU).
Two search warrants were executed. With the assistance of the RCMP’s Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) Team, Didsbury RCMP, and Olds CRU, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Carstairs. Airdrie CRU executed a search warrant at an Airdrie business.
While searching the Carstairs residence, police located a butane extractor (called a BHO lab by CLEAR). This extractor is volatile in nature if not monitored or operated correctly and poses an explosion/fire risk to the public of Carstairs. Also seized at this residence were:
- Approximately 250 illicit cannabis plants
- Approximately 10 pounds of psilocybin (magic mushrooms)
- Three firearms
- A Taser
- Multiple ounces of cannabis extracts
During the search at the Airdrie business, a male suspect was arrested. At the time, the suspect was in possession of:
- $1,900 cash
- 55.9 grams suspected cocaine, pre-packaged for three individual sales
- 6.4 grams suspected MDMA, pre-packaged for 13 individual sales
- Approximately 48 grams suspected psilocybin mushrooms
- Assorted regulated CBD/THC products (balms and tinctures)
- 26 packages of illicit cannabis edibles
- Approximately 1.3 kilograms cannabis believed to be possessed for illicit sales
- 567 grams suspected hash believed to be possessed for illicit sales
- Approximately 160 grams suspected cannabis extracts believed to be possessed for illicit sales
- A taser
Lex Matt Bronee, 59, a resident of Carstairs, has been charged with:
- Assault
- Uttering threats (x2)
- Trafficking controlled substance (MDMA)
- Possession of a prohibited weapon knowing its possession is unauthorized (Taser)
- Possession of property obtained by crime
- Possession of a prohibited weapon contrary to Order (x3)
- Careless use (storage) of a firearm (x2)
- Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized (x2)
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (PPT) controlled substances (x4) - Cocaine, Psilocybin, and MDMA
- Making shatter with the use of butane (production of cannabis by use of an organic solvent) - Sec. 12(1)(B) Cannabis Act (CA)
- Possessing shatter made personally (not made by governing body) - Sec. 8(1)(b) Cannabis Act
- Trafficking (sell) illicit Cannabis - Sec. 10(1)(a) CA
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (selling) illicit Cannabis - Sec. 10(2) CA
- An organization is prohibited from possessing cannabis - Sec. 8(1)(f) CA
After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Bronee was released on $500 bail and is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie on April 10, 2025.
The RCMP investigation continues.
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