ALERT teams up with Peace Regional RCMP to tackle drug trafficking

September 25, 2012

Grande Prairie…Grande Prairie’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-Grande Prairie) and the Peace Regional RCMP General Investigation Section and Detachment concluded a drug trafficking investigation in Peace River and surrounding area with 44 charges against 11 people. Charges are pending against five other people, and the investigation is ongoing.

Police seized marihuana, cocaine and crack cocaine in the communities of Peace River, Grimshaw, Blue Sky and Grande Prairie. Over 165 grams of cocaine, with a street value of $16,500, were seized as part of this investigation, along with $14,000 cash, a 2004 BMW, a 1994 Mustang and a 1993 Buick.

The most significant seizures occurred September 19 when police arrested three individuals in a retail parking lot on the 8000 block of 100 Street in Grande Prairie. In total, 33 grams of cocaine, $2,100 cash and a 2004 BMW were seized. A subsequent search warrant at a residence on the 9400 block of Lakeland Drive in Grande Prairie turned up another 123 grams of cocaine and approximately $10,000 cash.

The following people face charges:

• Derek Turgeon, a 28-year-old resident of Grande Prairie and Peace River, is charged with trafficking cocaine, two counts of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, one count each of possession of proceeds of crime under and over $5,000, and four breach of recognizance offences. The accused was released on a recognizance stemming from a previous drug trafficking charge.
• James Commet, a 26-year-old St. Albert resident, is charged with trafficking cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.
• Chad Cota, a 28-year-old Grande Prairie resident, is charged with trafficking cocaine, two counts of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, one count each of possession of proceeds of crime under and over $5,000.

After police executed three more search warrants on September 21 and 22 in Peace River and Blue Sky, the following people were charged:

• Julien Nkunzi, a 20-year-old Peace River resident, is charged with two counts of trafficking cocaine, and possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.
• Brian McKenzie, a 21-year-old Peace River resident, is charged with trafficking marihuana and trafficking cocaine.
• Nicole Peter, a 21-year-old Edmonton resident, is charged with three counts of trafficking cocaine, and possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.
• Kelly L’Arrivee, a 21-year-old Peace River resident, is charged with two counts of trafficking cocaine, two counts of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000 and two breach of recognizance offences.
• Ashlin Laliberte, a 22-year-old Peace River resident, faces two counts of trafficking cocaine.
• Katherine Arnott-Osback, a 21-year-old Peace River resident, faces two counts of trafficking cocaine.
• Liza Roberts a 39-year-old Grimshaw area resident, is charged with trafficking cocaine
• David Fedick, a 31-year-old Grimshaw resident, faces three counts of trafficking cocaine.

Edmonton’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-Edmonton) and the Fairview RCMP Detachment also provided assistance throughout this investigation.

“The results of this investigation show that drugs are not restricted to large urban centres,” said CFSEU-Grande Prairie’s Cpl. Dean Riou. “We will continue to work with our partners to target drug trafficking in communities of all sizes, and we encourage the public to help by sending in tips about any suspicious activity.”

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

Made up of RCMP members, CFSEU-Grande Prairie 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. Over 400 municipal police, RCMP and sheriffs work for ALERT.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Cpl. Dean Riou
CFSEU-Grande Prairie
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
780-402-6127

S/Sgt. Brian Bohlken
NCO i/c Peace Region RCMP
780-624-6677

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