A motorist stopped for speeding was later slapped with various firearms and drug charges by Innisfail traffic officers.
On Dec. 8, police officers with the Innisfail Integrated Traffic Unit performed a traffic stop: A male driver was pulled over for speeding on Hwy 2 in Red Deer County.
The Alberta Sheriff spotted marijuana within reach of the driver, so began an investigation. During a search of the vehicle, the officer found what was believed to be a handgun.
The driver was arrested. A further search resulted in a seizure of marijuana, cocaine, what turned out to be a replica handgun and $470 in suspected proceeds of crime.
A 19-year-old from Calgary, was charged with using an imitation firearm to commit a crime, possessing a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking, unlawfully possess cannabis for the purpose of selling, it contrary to the Cannabis Act — as well as exceeding the maximum posted speed limit and other charges.
The man is scheduled to appear in Red Deer provincial court on Jan. 18.
The Integrated Traffic Unit (ITU) is team comprised of police officers from the RCMP, and peace officers from the Alberta Sheriff Highway Patrol. One of the unit mandate is to intercept contraband being transported on Alberta’s highways.