Alberta RCMP lay many charges in two drug trafficking investigations

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

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

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Alberta RCMP CPL. Mathew Howell said seizures of both drugs and weapons were important in both communities, with investigators working extensively with residents of the Drayton Valley and Saddle Lake Cree First Nations.

“We have a lot of complaints from these communities, who say they don’t think their safety and security are taken seriously, and there are many problems in their communities that are not resolved,” Howell said on a call with Postmedia Friday.

St. Paul officials began an investigation on October 3 and were able to conduct a search warrant in a home in Saddle Lake Cree First Nation last month.

The officers seized 130 grams of methamphetamine, 52 grams of cocaine, a pistol, three rifles, ammunition, two cross bows and many other weapons, including knives, brass knuckles, nunchuks, nunchuks, botons and swords.

Darin Riel Moses is charged with nine gun-related crimes, possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking in cocaine for trafficking and unauthorized identity documents.

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

Officials in the Drayton Valley conducted drug search warrants at a local motel and occupied methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl, the rifle was stolen from Mayerthorpe in 2008, with more than $1,500 in cash and multiple weapons including knives and commanders.

“When it comes to drugs, every drug has its problems bringing into the community, and fentanyl unfortunately leads to more overdoses. Fentanyl is one of those very dangerous drugs. It’s the one we’d love to leave the streets,” Howell said.

“In the Drayton Valley investigation, 2008 stolen rifles showed that these indeed stolen weapons did fall into the hands of other criminals. Maybe they weren’t even the weapons that were stolen in the first place.”

How many weapons that are prohibited from seizure, one of which is wearing a mask, said in both investigations.

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Charley Thompson of Drayton Valley was charged with 18 counts of 18 firearm-related offences, three counts of controlled substances for trafficking, three counts of possessing weapons for dangerous purposes, possessing contraband weapons, carrying hidden weapons and proceeds of crimes under $5,000.

Courtney Haubi of Drayton Valley was charged with three counts of possession of controlled substances, three counts of firearms, two counts of possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Thompson remains in custody, while Hobby is released under conditions. Both are scheduled to appear in the Drayton Valley on April 15.

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