Between May 4 – 9, the Alberta RCMP Roving Traffic Units (RTU) conducted operations in the Vermilion RCMP (RTU North) and Chestermere RCMP (RTU South) Detachment areas. The operations not only resulted in issuing several traffic violation tickets but in significant seizures as well. Below are a few noteworthy files:
On May 4, RTU North Team members pulled over a vehicle to verify operator licensing status and vehicle registration. During the course of the traffic stop, members came to suspect possible narcotics involvement so they began their investigation and searched the vehicle. As a result, 10 kilos of methamphetamine and 2 kilos of cocaine were seized, an approximate street value of $92,0000.
Darcy Chernowsky, 33, of Roberts Creek, BC, was charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking. He was released on conditions and is to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Vermilion on July 7.
On May 6, RTU North Team members initiated a traffic stop for vehicle equipment violation. Upon speaking with the driver, members noticed unstamped tobacco that the suspect was attempting to hide. The vehicle was searched, resulting in the seizure of 90,000 cigarettes, an approximate $44,000 value.
Butterfield, 53, of Alberta Beach, Alta., was charged with possession of unstamped tobacco possession of unstamped tobacco for the purpose of trafficking, and fraud over $5000.
Butterfield was released on conditions and is to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Vermilion on July 7.
On May 8, a RTU South Team member conducted a traffic stop in order to check the sobriety of the driver. As a result of the traffic stop, the member came to suspect narcotics involvement. Specialized police dog “Mando” was utilized as part of the investigation. Mando provided a positive indication for drugs within the vehicle, which lead to the arrest of the driver. With the assistance of members of the Chestermere RCMP Detachment, a search was conducted of the vehicle. The search revealed 260 grams of fentanyl and 10 grams of cocaine, for an estimated street value of $53,000.
Ibrahim Al-Taai, 21, a resident of Saskatoon, Sask, was charged with possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, obstruct Police Officer, and Identity Fraud.
Al-Taai was released on conditions and is to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary on June 20.
“We wanted to take this occasion to showcase the work that is done by your Alberta RCMP through the efforts of RTU members” said S/Sgt Darrell Dickinson, Traffic Services Coordinator for Alberta RCMP Traffic.
“The Roving Traffic Units are teams of RCMP members who are assigned to Alberta RCMP Traffic and have received specialized training and equipment in order to conduct criminal interdiction to detect individuals involved in criminal activity, such as drug and weapon trafficking. RTU teams target areas that are transportation routes, where there is a likelihood of intercepting those who are trafficking in illegal goods, while still providing enhanced traffic enforcement in the area. The success of these specialized units highlights their importance as well as their efficiency in targeting traveling criminals and reducing illicit drugs from reaching the streets.”
