Cops were busy leading up to Christmas with a pair of drug busts in Innisfail and Penhold.
In the early morning hours of Dec. 21 Innisfail RCMP members conducted a traffic stop in town that led to the arrest of two 18-year-old males.
A search of the vehicle uncovered a hidden compartment, which contained marijuana and more than $5,000 in cash.
Brett Ward, 18, of Kirriemuir, Alberta faces charges of possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000. He is scheduled to appear in Red Deer provincial court in January of 2014.
The following morning in Penhold, Innisfail Mounties arrested two males at a traffic stop. The search of the vehicle revealed a significant amount of marijuana, along with a quantity of both cocaine and methamphetamine (crystal meth).
RCMP said a portion of the drugs was located in a concealment device, which they said looked like a regular can of orange pop.
The search also uncovered weapons, including an air pistol, a large knife and a makeshift baton.
Michael Lawrence, 39, and Dustin Bowers, 21, both from Penhold, are facing charges of possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, possession of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine. Both men will appear in Red Deer provincial court in February of 2014.
Lawrence also had outstanding warrants from Red Deer.
Accused death driver faces new charges
A Red Deer man who is scheduled this spring to face trial in a tragic drunk driving case that led to the death of a teen on Canada Day in 2010 is facing new troubles following a pre-Christmas incident in Sylvan Lake.
On Dec. 21, Sylvan Lake RCMP responded to a complaint of a possible impaired driver in town. After locating a parked and running vehicle, police found the driver slumped over the steering wheel.
After waking the driver and speaking to him, he was arrested for impaired care or control of a Motor Vehicle.
A search of the male and the vehicle located cash and crack cocaine and a small amount of marijuana.
Rodney Ross ARENS, 36, of Red Deer, is now facing 14 charges stemming from the incident, including impaired care or control of a motor vehicle, as well as drug related charges.
He is also facing several charges of failing to comply with a recognizance as a result of the investigation. Arens had previously been on release in relation to a July 1, 2010 collision in Red Deer in which claimed the life of a 13-year-old Anouluck ‘Jeffrey' Chanminaraj.
Arens was charged at the time with impaired driving causing death, impaired driving causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, three charges of refusing to provide a breathalyzer sample and breach of recognizance. He pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
His trial has been postponed several times and is currently set for April, 2014.
