A concerned resident’s tip has led to the dismantling of a large-scale synthetic drug laboratory in the small hamlet of Colinton, about 45 kilometres northeast of Athabasca, preventing what police say could have been thousands of deadly doses from reaching Alberta communities.
On April 13, 2026, Athabasca RCMP received a report from a resident about unknown materials discovered inside a building along 50th Avenue. Officers quickly recognized the site as a clandestine drug laboratory and called in specialized units to assist.
A search warrant was obtained, and between April 14 and 17, the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) Team worked alongside Athabasca RCMP to safely dismantle the operation. The Alberta RCMP Forensic Identification Section (Edmonton) and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (Wood Buffalo) also supported the investigation.
Due to the extreme toxicity of the chemicals involved, the dismantling process required the expertise of specialized chemists and hazardous waste experts to ensure safe removal of all materials.
Items seized during the search included approximately one kilogram of suspected fentanyl, along with a significant quantity of precursor chemicals and waste products.
“The scale of this laboratory and the toxicity of the chemicals found pose a serious threat not only to those involved but to the surrounding community,” said Sgt. Justin Dawley, Acting Detachment Commander of Athabasca RCMP Detachment. “By dismantling this operation, thousands of potentially fatal doses have been prevented from reaching Albertans.”
The investigation remains ongoing. Police are asking anyone with information about the lab or those responsible to contact Athabasca RCMP at 780-675-5122.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com, or via the P3 Tips app.
