Alberta RCMP lay several charges in separate drug trafficking investigations

Alberta RCMP have announced several drug trafficking and weapons charges against three people in two separate investigations last month.

After a five-month investigation, police in St. Paul charged a 44-year-old man from Saddle Lake Cree First Nation on March 19, and after a one-month investigation, police in Drayton Valley charged a 51-year-old man and 26-year-old woman on March 28.

Article content

Alberta RCMP Cpl. Mathew Howell said both of these drug-and-weapons seizures were significant in both communities, and investigators worked extensively with residents of both Drayton Valley and Saddle Lake Cree First Nation.

“We had a lot of complaints from members of these communities that said they felt their safety and security wasn’t taken seriously and there were a number of issues in their community that weren’t being addressed,” said Howell in a phone call with Postmedia on Friday.

Officers in St. Paul began their investigation on Oct. 3 and last month were able to conduct a search warrant at a home on Saddle Lake Cree First Nation.

Officers seized 130 grams of methamphetamine, 52 grams of cocaine, a handgun, three rifles, ammunition, two crossbows and a number of other weapons that included knives, brass knuckles, nunchuks, batons and swords.

Darin Riel Moses was charged with nine firearm-related offences, possession of methamphetamines for purpose of trafficking, possession of cocaine for purpose of trafficking and unauthorized possession of identity document.

Article content

Article content

Moses remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on April 10 in St. Paul.

Officers in Drayton Valley performed a drug search warrant at a local motel and seized mostly prepacked methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl, a rifle that was stolen from Mayerthorpe in 2008, more than $1,500 in cash and multiple weapons including knives and a baton.

“When it comes to drugs, every drug has their issue it brings into the community, and with fentanyl, it unfortunately brings a lot more overdoses. Fentanyl is one of those drugs that is very dangerous. That is one that we’re more than happy to get off the streets,” said Howell.

“In the Drayton Valley investigation, the rifle that was stolen in 2008 shows that these weapons that do get stolen do end up in the hands of other criminals. Maybe they weren’t even the ones who stole it originally.”

How said in both these investigations, many of the weapons seized were prohibited, and one of the crossbows had a mask attached to it.

Article content

Charley Thompson of Drayton Valley was charged with 18 firearms-related offences, three counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, three counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a prohibited weapon, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.

Courtney Haubi of Drayton Valley was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance, three firearms-related charges, two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and possession of prohibited weapon.

Thompson remains in custody, while Haubi was released on conditions. Both are slated to appear in court on April 15 in Drayton Valley.

Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add EdmontonJournal.com and EdmontonSun.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters.
You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post, and 13 other Canadian news sites. The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun

Article content