ALERT charges several Grande Prairie residents following drug investigation

August 26, 2013

Grande Prairie…ALERT’s Grande Prairie Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) laid nearly 20 charges against four men after a short-term drug investigation.

On August 20, CFSEU-Grande Prairie conducted a traffic stop in the city’s downtown where they arrested five people and seized cocaine and cash from an occupant of the vehicle. Police then executed a search warrant on a Grande Prairie hotel room associated to the accused where they uncovered more cocaine, methamphetamine and marihuana.

In total, CFSEU-Grande Prairie seized 60 grams of cocaine, three grams of methamphetamine, and 84 grams of marihuana, along with nearly $5,000 cash. The estimated street value of the drugs is exceeds $7,000.

“What’s significant about this investigation is the number of arrests and charges,” CFSEU-Grande Prairie’s Sgt. Jason Gibson. “The people who engage in this kind of activity put communities at risk. Anytime we can hold them accountable for illegal activity, like drug trafficking, it has a positive impact on safety.”

The following Grande Prairie residents face charges:

• Jareth Gregory BELLAND, age 22, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis marihuana, possession of proceeds of crime, and two counts of failure to comply with a recognizance.
• Lahi Ismail ABDI, age 21, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis marihuana, and possession of proceeds of crime.
• John Samuel ISADORE, age 19, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis marihuana, and possession of proceeds of crime.
• Lawrence Micheal DESJARLAIS, age 18, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession of methamphetamine and possession of cannabis marihuana.

These four men make their first court appearances today, August 26, in Grande Prairie Provincial Court.

Charges are also pending against a female 17-year-old youth who has been released from custody.

To report suspicious activity in your community, contact police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

CFSEU, made up of municipal police and RCMP members, is an ALERT team established and funded by the Government of Alberta to bring together the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources to tackle serious and organized crime. Nearly 400 municipal police, RCMP and sheriffs work for ALERT.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Sgt. Jason Gibson
CFSEU-Grande Prairie
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
780-357-5577

Jill Baird
Communications
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
780-509-3028