ALERT made the arrest in Brooks, Alta. on information that drugs were being couriered into Medicine Hat

Three people have been arrested after a handgun and drugs were seized. ALERT made the arrest in Brooks, Alta. on information that drugs were being couriered into Medicine Hat.

Abdullah Mela was arrested on February 28, 2025 by ALERT with help from Brooks RCMP. The 28-year-old Calgary man was allegedly transporting drugs to Medicine Hat when his vehicle was stopped in Brooks, Alta.

Inside Mela’s vehicle ALERT located just over one kilogram of methamphetamine and a loaded Glock handgun. Mela has a lifetime firearms prohibition as the result of a 2021 manslaughter conviction.

“There exists an inherent violence within the drug trade and taking a firearm out of the hands of a drug dealer is a win for public safety,” said Staff Sergeant Ryan Thorburn, ALERT.

Following the traffic stop and arrest, ALERT searched two homes in Medicine Hat with help from the Medicine Hat Police Service. The search of the homes resulted in the seizure of more drugs and cash, and two more people were arrested.

In total, ALERT seized an estimated $185,000 worth of drugs, including:

• Loaded Glock handgun;

• 1,015 grams of methamphetamine;

• 493 grams of cocaine;

• 330 grams of fentanyl;

• 884 hydromorphone pills;

• $34,730 cash.

The handgun is being submitted to ALERT’s Provincial Firearms Lab to determine if it was used in any other criminal offences.

Abdullah Mela is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking and multiple firearms-related offences. Mela remains in custody and is scheduled for a bail decision on March 7, 2025.

Omar Farhat, 50 years old from Medicine Hat, and Bonnie Mather, 64 years old from Medicine Hat, have also been charged with multiple drug-related offences.

In Medicine Hat, members of the public who suspect drug activity can contact the MHPS by calling 403-529-8481 or submitting tips online (anonymously if preferred) via the website at mhps.ca or the MHPS mobile app. The app is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.