Two Elk Point men have been arrested for drug and organized crime-related offences, following weeks of surveillance and investigation by combined RCMP forces.
The investigation was a partnership between the Bonnyville, St. Paul, Cold Lake and Lloydminister RCMP detachments, as well as the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU). The CFSEU is a unit made up of RCMP resources from Camrose and Edmonton, as well as sheriffs.
Beginning in early August, the investigation resulted in RCMP making two arrests on Sept. 27 after search warrants were executed on a vehicle and two residences in Elk Point.
RCMP seized cocaine valued at $7,400, methamphetamine valued at $4,000, $500 in cash and various pieces of drug paraphernalia. They also found weapons including brass knuckles, pepper spray, a baton and an edged weapon.
Matthew Joel Castle, a 23-year-old Elk Point man, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking under the controlled drugs and substances act, several breach of release conditions, possession of property obtained by crime and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Chad Luther Wasson, a 46-year-old Elk Point man, is facing charges of possession of property obtained by crime and possession of a controlled substance under the controlled drugs and substances act and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
A man was left in critical condition after a Sept. 25 quad rollover on Saddle Lake First Nation, an accident in which alcohol and speed are believed to be factors, according to an RCMP press release.
At 10 p.m. on the Tuesday, emergency crews were called to the scene of the collision, and found one man lying unconscious on the road, near the damaged quad. The 19-year-old was transported via STARS Air Ambulance to an Edmonton hospital, where, as of last week, he was being treated for serious injuries.
Witnesses reported seeing a second man fleeing the scene on foot. Police found the second man in a nearby residence a short time after the accident, and EMS treated him. The 20-year-old was taken into police custody. As of last Wednesday, the investigation was still continuing and no charges had been laid, according to the press release. Neither occupant was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.
This marked the second serious quad accident in the area in as many weeks, as two people were left with serious injuries after an Ashmont-area quad accident on Sept. 17.
On Sept. 25, RCMP received a complaint of vandalism and theft from a motor vehicle. A blue 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse had been parked along Highway 29, east of St Paul, between the evening of Sept. 24 and the early morning of Sept. 25, after suffering mechanical problems.
While the owner was away from the vehicle, making arrangements to get it home, suspect(s) broke into and vandalized the car, according to an RCMP press release. The vehicle's windows were smashed, the interior was ruined and a stereo system was stolen. The estimated damage and loss from the theft was over $10,000.
On Sept. 30, 2012 RCMP began an investigation into three reports of vandalism to Halloween ornaments. The vandalism occurred outside of houses in the areas of 45 Avenue, 46 Avenue and 49 Avenue, according to an RCMP press release. Suspects are alleged to have set fire to ornaments outside of two homes and thrown eggs at the third. One of the houses suffered fire damage as a result of the vandalism. The vandalism is believed to have taken place between the hours of 10 p.m. on Sept. 29 and 2 a.m. on Sept. 30.
RCMP ask anyone with information relating to either of these cases of vandalism to contact the St Paul RCMP at 780-645-8888 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
