The Drumheller RCMP continued their track record of stopping drugs moving along Highway 9.
On April 25, at approximately 10 p.m., a vehicle was stopped on Highway 9 north of Drumheller for a minor vehicle infraction.
Indicators associated with the transportation of illicit drugs were observed by the officer conducting the stop.
Two males were arrested and the vehicle was searched. The search produced six pounds of marijuana, which was located hidden in two suitcases in the trunk of the vehicle.
One of the occupants claimed ownership of the drugs and will be charged accordingly.
The street value of these drugs is approximately $40,000.
The name of the accused cannot be released pending formal charges. RCMP describe him as 30 years of age and a resident of Calgary. He is to appear in Drumheller Provincial Court on June 14 to answer to the charges laid against him. The accused has a previous criminal record.
This amount of drugs is nowhere near the amount found in the past on Highway 9. It is thought Highway 9 is being used to take drugs east to Saskatchewan.
“Most (of the drugs) aren’t coming through Drumheller. They’re coming out of Calgary and using various highways,” said Drumheller RCMP Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins. “A lot of it comes down to the skills of the investigator. Constable Jones seems to have a knack for it and picks up on a lot of indicators. When time and circumstance permit, he’s out there, but, that’s not his only duty.”
The Drumheller RCMP are not the only ones out on the highways attempting to intercept drugs.
“The RCMP have roving interdiction units. Most of the time they’re in the mountains, but we’ve had them come in and do some work on Highway 9. About eight months ago, there was a big seizure by Hanna. That was them. There are reports being submitted to district and division. They use that information with their other intelligence and try to plot the most productive times for the various highways,” said Hopkins. “There are a lot of things being done.”
