Photo courtesy Alberta RCMP
HINTON, Alta. — On Aug. 27, 2026, a Hinton RCMP member was conducting patrols in the town of Hinton when he initiated a traffic stop on a truck occupied by two men. The driver stated he did not have a license and further investigation revealed he was under court conditions not to drive. RCMP arrested the driver for breach of conditions and noted drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle incidental to arrest revealed the following:
- A 9mm Hi-point prohibited rifle;
- A box containing 9mm ammunition;
- A large quantity of packaged cash, totalling $19,840;
- 114 grams of Fentanyl;
- 33.8 grams of methamphetamine;
- 88.6 grams of cocaine;
- A throwing star; and
- Drug trafficking paraphernalia.
Incidental to the search, both the driver and passenger were arrested. It was noted that both were under a lifetime firearm and ammunition ban. As a result of the investigation, Ernest Loos (53) and Harry Desjarlais (52), both residents of Merritt, BC, were charged with multiple offences, including:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x3);
- Possession of a prohibited firearm;
- Possession of a prohibited firearm in a motor vehicle
- Possession of a prohibited weapon;
- Possession of a firearm and/or ammunition while prohibited (x2); and
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Loos was additionally charged with failure to comply with release order. Loos and Desjarlais were brought before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody. Loos is to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Hinton on Sept. 1, 2026, while Desjarlais is to appear before the same court on Sept. 2, 2026.
