Three Grande Prairie residents face numerous drug trafficking charges

May 22, 2012

Grande Prairie…Three men now face several charges stemming from two marihuana grow operations and drug trafficking investigations in the Grande Prairie area.

The charges result from four related investigations that took place in late 2010 and mid-2011.

In September of 2010, Grande Prairie’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-Grande Prairie) found 700 marihuana plants in a grow operation on Crown land southeast of Grande Prairie. Then in December of that same year, the team searched a residence in the Countryside North area and seized 600 more plants, along with growing equipment. No one was present at the first marihuana grow operation when it was searched. A 36-year-old man was located at the second operation and arrested.

In April of 2011, a search warrant was executed at a residence in the O’Brien Lake Estates area, resulting in the seizure of over 10 ounces of cocaine, a small amount of marihuana and $1,600 cash. Two residents were arrested at that time. In early May of 2011, 200 Fentynal tablets and 1000 caffeine tablets were seized after the team executed a search warrant on a mailbox associated to this same residence. Fentynal is a very potent synthetic prescription drug that is often sold on the street.

“Drug trafficking has far-reaching impacts on Alberta residents,” said CFSEU-Grande Prairie’s Sgt. Grant Bulford. “The fact that we’ve laid charges against three people is a positive development in these investigations and an important step toward our goal of keeping our community safe.”

The following Grande Prairie residents face charges:

• Trevor STOJAN, age 38, is charged with two counts each of production of marihuana and possession of marihuana for the purpose of trafficking, and one count each of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of Fentynal for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a prohibited weapon. The accused was on parole for previous convictions at the time of his arrest.

• Shane BERLINSKI, age 38, is charged with two counts each of production of marihuana and possession of marihuana for the purpose of trafficking.

• Tyler ROBIDEAU, age 32, is charged with production of marihuana and possession of marihuana for the purpose of trafficking.

All of the accused are scheduled to appear in Grande Prairie Provincial Court on May 23.

The Grande Prairie RCMP Detachment and ALERT’s Green Team North assisted throughout various stages of this investigation.

To report suspicious activity or a suspected marihuana grow operation in your community, contact police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). For information on how to spot a marihuana grow operation, visit www.alert-ab.ca

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:
Sgt. Grant Bulford
CFSEU-Grande Prairie
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
780-402-6125 

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