SADDLE LAKE – RCMP have wrapped up a nearly six-month long investigation, resulting in drug-related charges against a 44-year-old resident from Saddle Lake, and the seizure of illegal drugs and weapons.
RCMP divisions such as the RCMP Emergency Response Team, RCMP Police Dog Services, and the RCMP Eastern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit, were also involved during the investigation and the arrest. The investigation initially began on Oct. 3, 2024.
On March 19, RCMP executed a search warrant in Saddle Lake. Over 150 grams of illicit drugs were seized, including 130 grams of methamphetamines and 52 grams of cocaine.
Other items seized, according to RCMP, include over $2,000 Canadian currency, counterfeit Canadian currency a handgun, three rifles, ammunition, two crossbows, and other assorted weapons like knives, nunchucks, brass knuckles, batons, and swords.
Staff Sgt. Dennis Silliker, detachment commander with the St. Paul RCMP, thanked all partners who helped with the investigation, including members of the Saddle Lake community.
“This file in particular was brought to our attention by the community and sources that are very, very interested in getting these controlled drugs and substances off their reserve,” he said, during an April 3 media conference.
“We do work in partnership with Saddle Lake Cree Nation, and we keep them appraised of the work that we're doing on the reserve,” he said.
The investigation was also a result of another investigation conducted by the RCMP.
“It is a small piece of a big puzzle,” according to Silliker. Further investigations are expected to occur in the future.
“Every single investigation sheds light on another avenue,” he explained. “I mean, we may have pulled drugs off the road, but then the question is, ‘Where did the drugs come from'?”
Many partners, including other RCMP agencies, are working with information gained from drug-related investigations to understand and investigate the root of the flow of illicit drugs.
“Since I took charge of St Paul's detachment in July of last year, we've done multiple of these search warrants [and] seizing large quantities of drugs and firearms,” said Silliker. “And yes . . . they all typically lead into . . . other areas.”
Drugs continue to be a problem in the area and throughout the province, acknowledged Silliker. Speaking specifically to the Lakeland and surrounding communities, he said detachments continue to work to address the issue.
“The cooperation between our detachments in Eastern Alberta District has been something I haven't seen previously in other commands, and to me, is encouraging,” he said, referring to multi-detachment investigations conducted in the region.
“We are committed to using every resource available in order to bring greater safety to our communities and answer their policing needs,” said Silliker.
“We ask the public to please continue to report any suspicious activity. This allows us to better respond to the issues that are taking place within the community and thus contribute to the safety that everyone seeks.”
As a result of the search warrant, Darin Riel Moses was charged with possession of methamphetamines for the purpose of trafficking, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, nine charges of firearm-related offences, and unauthorized possession of an identity document.
Moses was remanded into custody and will appear in court in St. Paul on April 10.
