Two Calgary women have been busted for meth trafficking after police noticed an early morning drug deal going down at a local gas station.
Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk said RCMP members, who were filling up their vehicle at the local Fas Gas outlet shortly after 2 a.m. on Oct. 31, noticed what they believed was a drug transaction between the two females in a rental vehicle and two males on foot.
“The vehicle looked suspicious to them. They drove away and parked in a position where they could watch what they believed was going to happen,” said Matechuk. “They basically did great police work, keeping their eyes open.”
He said the vehicle, occupied by two Calgary women, was stopped immediately after the transaction. Matechuk said the driver was detained for trafficking. The two men on foot fled the scene, he said.
“They had to make a choice, either the two males that bought or the vehicle. They chose the vehicle,” said Matechuk.
He said a search of the vehicle located 32 and a half grams of meth, five grams of crack cocaine, oxycodone pills and other drug paraphernalia, break-in tools, knives and a large amount of cash. Police also found bear spray, police baton, pellet pistol, window punch, drug packaging, knife, stolen prepaid Visa card, and a counterfeit $50 bill.
Police estimate the street value of 32 and a half grams of methamphetamine is about $2,000.
“We see a lot of it. It is relatively common all over Alberta. It is not unique to Innisfail,” said Matechuk of methamphetamine. “Historically, Drayton Valley is really bad, as well as Edson, Whitecourt and Hinton. There is a fair bit around. We see a lot of it. Innisfail is no different than in any other community. It is here.”
Reinbow Horel, of Calgary, has been charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public, possession of currency not exceeding $5,000 knowing that it was obtained by the commission of an offence, possessing counterfeit money, carrying a concealed weapon, possessing proceeds of property, and possession of break and enter tools.
Stacey Halvorson, of Calgary, has been charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, and three counts of failing to comply with the conditions of an undertaking.
Both were remanded in custody following a bail hearing on Oct. 31.
Meanwhile, RCMP made another drug bust last week following a call about a residential break and enter in progress.
Matechuk said RCMP received a call that a man, possibly under the influence of drugs, was seen going to the back of a house on 49 Street.
When police arrived they found a man in a backyard shed that had been broken into.
He was holding a screwdriver and about to use cocaine when RCMP officers arrested him, said Matechuk.
He said police seized a small amount of cocaine, small baggies suspected for the use of trafficking and scales.
James Muraro, 44, of Calgary, has been charged with possession of break-in tools and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
