Police made several arrests on July 30 after an investigation.
In late July Wetaskiwin RCMP partnered with other RCMP Units in order to target a known violent priority offender who was wanted on warrants for;
- Assault on Police Officer (x2);
- Resist Arrest (x2);
- Flight from Police;
- Mischief;
- Possession of a Controlled Substance.
On July 30, 2025, the suspect, Aaron Olsen, was observed by officers in a vehicle trafficking controlled substances at a property in Ponoka. The vehicle was stopped and Olsen as well as his passenger were arrested. A search of Olsen and subsequent search warrant executed on the vehicle resulted in the seizure of:
- $6850 in Currency;
- 90 grams fentanyl;
- 112 grams of cocaine;
- 149 grams of methamphetamine, and;
- a firearm.
Police then executed a search warrant at the Ponoka residence and seized;
- $1360 in currency;
- 20 grams of Methamphetamine;
- Drug trafficking materials including scales and baggies;
- Brass knuckles and ammunition.
As a result of this operation, RCMP additionally charged Beaver County resident Aaron James Olsen (42) with;
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance (x3);
- Weapons offences (x3);
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000;
- Possession of a weapon contrary to order (x3).
Olsen was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set for Aug. 1, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Ponoka.
RCMP also charged Olsen’s passenger, 29-year-old Drayton Valley resident, Paige Tamara Ziegler with;
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance (x3);
- Weapons offences (x3);
Ziegler was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody with her next court date set for Aug. 1, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Ponoka.
The occupant of the Ponoka residence, 45-year-old Lauren Elliot Curtis, has been charged with;
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance;
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000.
Curtis was taken before a Justice of the Peace and released with his next court date set for Aug. 22, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Ponoka.
“The collaborative efforts between multiple RCMP specialized teams has led to the successful arrest of a violent priority offender and the disruption of drug trafficking activities in Central Alberta. The targeted enforcement operation, involving the Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction Unit, Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (CAD CRU), K Air Services, Emergency Response Team, Ponoka RCMP, K RTOC and Police Dog Services, resulted in multiple arrests, seizures of illegal drugs, cash and a firearm.” says Cst. Tom Rutland.
The RCMP remains dedicated to reducing violent crime and illegal drug activity across Alberta. Community members are encouraged to continue reporting suspicious activity, as their information is critical to ongoing crime reduction efforts.
