Crime
Red Deer RCMP make numerous arrests in crime hot spots
Red Deer, Alberta – Red Deer RCMP made a number of arrests while conducting proactive patrols in areas known for criminal activity, and located numerous suspects who were wanted on outstanding warrants. RCMP made more arrests while conducting compliance checks on individuals known to have court imposed conditions such as curfews; these strategies are key to Red Deer’s Pinpoint crime reduction focus on repeat offenders and emerging issues. Red Deer RCMP made more arrests thanks to reports from the public regarding suspicious activity, and thank Red Deerians for their continued support and vigilance.
May 5 – 2018
At 9 pm on May 5, RCMP responded to a report of a personal robbery after a man allegedly robbed a woman of her sunglasses at knifepoint in the area of 50 Street and 51 Avenue. RCMP responded immediately and located the suspect nearby on foot; he was arrested after a brief foot chase.
21 year old Zachary John Wahobin faces the following charges:
· Criminal Code 344(1)(b) – Robbery with weapon
· Criminal Code 129(a) – Resist/ obstruct peace officer X 2
· Criminal Code 88(1) – Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
· Criminal Code 733.1(1) – Fail to comply with probation
Wahobin was remanded to appear in court in Red Deer on May 7 and is scheduled to appear next on May 23 at 9:30 am.
May 4 – 2018
Shortly before 3 pm on May 4, Red Deer RCMP located a truck that had been stolen out of Blackfalds and used On Star to track it as the truck moved through Red Deer. When it was safe to do so, RCMP had On Star shut down the truck in the Normandeau neighbourhood and arrested the male driver after a brief foot chase. RCMP located two stolen bicycles in the back of the truck and seized what is believed to be heroin, crystal meth and marijuana, as well as pepper spray, a knife and break-in tools
29 year old Bryan Anthony Penso faces
· Criminal Code 249(1) – Dangerous operation of motor vehicle
· Criminal Code 351(1) – Possess break-in instruments
· Criminal Code 355(a) – Possession of stolen property over $5,000
· Criminal Code 355(b) – Possession of stolen property under $5,000
· Criminal Code 88(1) – Possession of weapon for the purpose of committing an offense X 2
· CDSA 4(1) – Possession of Schedule I/ Schedule II substances X 3
· TSA 51(a) – Operate vehicle without holding operator’s license
· TSA 52(1)(a) – Operate vehicle without registration
· TSA 54(1)(a) – Operate vehicle without insurance
Penso was remanded to appear in court in Red Deer on May 7 and is scheduled to appear again on May 14 at 9:30 am.
May 2 – 2018
At 5:45 am on May 2, Red Deer RCMP responded to a report of a break and enter in progress at a business in north Red Deer after a witness reported observing a male suspect climbing over a fence to access the business. RCMP responded immediately and arrested the suspect without incident.
A 30 year old man faces a charge of Criminal Code 348(1)(a) – break and enter; he is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on June 26. His name cannot be released at this time as that charge has not yet been sworn before the courts.
May 1 – 2018
At 6:30 pm, RCMP attended a store in response to a report of a shoplifter, and arrested a woman who was found to be in possession of a number of stolen items and was wanted on numerous outstanding warrants.
23 year old Taylor Watkins-Paul was wanted on 21 warrants out of Innisfail, Red Deer and Canmore for multiple counts of possession of stolen property, failing to comply with conditions and failing to appear in court, as well as three traffic charges of driving without insurance. She now faces an additional charge of theft under $5,000 and two counts of failing to comply with conditions. Watkins-Paul was remanded to appear in court on May 4 and is scheduled to appear again on May 11 at 9:30 am.
April 30 – 2018
At 9:30 pm on April 30, RCMP responded to a report of suspicious activity in a north-end industrial parking lot and located a suspect who was found to be breaching court-imposed conditions, including a curfew.
19 year old Austin Joseph Pollock faces two counts of Criminal Code 145(3) – fail to comply with conditions. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 29 at 8:30 am.
April 30 – 2018
Shortly before 9 am on April 30, RCMP responded to a report of suspicious activity in a vehicle parked in Oriole Park. On arrival, RCMP located a suspect in the car who was wanted on outstanding warrants and was in possession of what is believed to be methamphetamine.
25 year old Tyler James Nugent was wanted on four warrants out of Red Deer for impaired driving, driving over 0.08, failing to attend court and a traffic charge; he was wanted on five warrants out of Sundre for impaired driving, driving while unauthorized, and several other traffic charges, and another warrant out of Didsbury for failing to attend court. Nugent now faces an additional charge of CDSA 4(1) – Possession of Schedule I substance (methamphetamine). He is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on May 18 at 8:30 am.
April 29 – 2018
Shortly before 2:30 am on May 29, RCMP on patrol in downtown Red Deer located a suspect who was wanted on two outstanding warrants for breaching his probation. At the time of his arrest, RCMP determined that he was further breaching his probation. In addition to his warrants, 39 year old Devlin Brighar faced a new charge of breach of probation. He appeared in court in Red Deer on May 4 and those charges have now been dealt with by the court.
April 26 – 2018
The evening of April 26, members of the Red Deer RCMP crime reduction team were on proactive foot patrol in downtown Red Deer when they located a suspect in possession of fentanyl and what is believed to be methamphetamine. The suspect gave a false name but was soon identified by police.
54 year old Dereck Kirkpatrick faces two charges of CDSA 4(1) – possession of Schedule 1 substances and one charge of resisting/ obstructing a peace officer. Kirkpatrick is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on May 9 at 1:30 pm.
April 25 – 2018
Red Deer RCMP conducted a curfew check on April 25 and determined that the man in questions wasn’t at the residence, in violation of his court-imposed conditions. Red Deer RCMP conduct conditions checks regularly on numerous individuals as part of the Pinpoint crime reduction strategy.
29 year old Tyler Kellington faces a charge of failing to comply with probation; he made his first court appearance in Red Deer on May 4 and is scheduled to appear again on June 18 at 9:30 am.
April 24 – 2018
Shortly after 2 am on April 24, Red Deer RCMP on bicycle patrol in Riverside Meadows noted suspicious activity and, on investigation, located a suspect who was in possession of what is believed to be cocaine. The suspect was further found to be wanted on outstanding warrants out of Red Deer.
In addition to the warrants, 22 year old Alli Kevin Halkett faces one charge of CDSA 4(1) – possession of Schedule I substance. He is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on May 8 at 8:30 am.
April 19 – 2018
A man who was arrested on April 3 for theft of mail is now wanted on warrants after failing to appear in court on April 13 to face those charges. The charges stem from a report received by Red Deer RCMP on April 3 that a suspect was seen breaking into apartment mailboxes. RCMP attended and located the suspect nearby in possession of a number of pieces of stolen mail. RCMP took him into custody and returned the mail to its owners.
28 year old Dallas Albert Rain is wanted on warrants for the following charges:
· Criminal Code 356(1)(a) – Theft from mail under $5,000 X 5
· Criminal Code 430(4) – Mischief under $5,000 X 2
· Criminal Code 145(2)(a) – Fail to attend court
If you have information about Rain’s whereabouts please call the Red Deer RCMP complaint line at 403-343-5575.
Alberta
Coutts border officers seize 77 KG of cocaine in commercial truck entering Canada – Street value of $7 Million
News release from RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region
Calgary resident charged with attempted drug importation
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at the Coutts port of entry found nearly 77 kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $7 million during a secondary examination of a commercial truck seeking entry into Canada from the United States. The CBSA arrested the driver, a resident of Calgary.
The Integrated Border Enforcement Team in Alberta, a joint force operation between the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region, CBSA and Calgary Police Service, was notified and a criminal investigation was initiated into the individual.
Surj Singh Salaria (28), a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:
- Importation of a controlled substance contrary to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and,
- Attempting to export goods that are prohibited, controlled or regulated contrary to section 160 of the Customs Act.
Salaria is scheduled to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Oct. 27, 2025.
“The CBSA remains vigilant in preventing dangerous drugs from reaching our communities. This significant seizure shows CBSA’s detection capabilities and the important role our officers play to stop drug trafficking. We are committed to securing and protecting the border alongside our law enforcement partners.”
- Janalee Bell-Boychuk, Regional Director General, Prairie Region, Canada Border Services Agency
“Through coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies, a substantial quantity of cocaine was seized before it could reach communities across Alberta. This investigation reinforces the value of a secure border and the vital role that collaboration and intelligence-sharing play in safeguarding the public from the harms of illegal drug trafficking.”
- Supt. Sean Boser, Officer in Charge of Federal Serious and Organized Crime and Border Integrity – Alberta, RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region
“This investigation highlights the strength of our collaborative efforts through the Integrated Border Enforcement Team. By working together with our law enforcement partners, we are able to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs and protect our communities from the violence and harm associated with organized crime.”
- Acting Supt. Jeff Pennoyer, CPS, Criminal Operations & Intelligence Division
IBET’s mandate is to enhance border integrity and security along the shared border, between designated ports of entry, by identifying, investigating and interdicting persons, organizations and goods that are involved in criminal activities.
A months-long RCMP investigation has led to the takedown of a massive synthetic-drug operation resembling the “super labs” often found in British Columbia — but this one was discovered just forty-five minutes north of Toronto. Officers uncovered an industrial-scale facility capable of producing millions of dollars’ worth of fentanyl, methamphetamine, MDMA, and GHB.
The RCMP’s Ontario Federal Policing unit announced Friday that search warrants executed on September 7 in Schomberg, northwest of Toronto, resulted in the seizure of nearly $10 million in suspected controlled substances, along with prohibited weapons, chemical precursors, and a range of illegal production equipment.
In addition to cash, drugs, and chemicals, officers discovered a pill press, firearms, handwritten drug “recipes,” flasks, chemical glassware, and other lab components. Approximately 20,000 litres of hazardous waste were also removed from the site.
Investigators say the probe began in spring 2025, when officers detected a suspicious bulk-chemical order placed by Christopher O’Quinn, operating under the business name O’Quinn Industries. “The chemicals ordered are known to police to be used in the production of fentanyl, MDMA, methamphetamine, and for cannabis extraction,” the RCMP said.
After weeks of surveillance, RCMP officers uncovered what they describe as a large-scale clandestine lab hidden on a Schomberg property. Dismantling the facility required coordination with the Ontario Fire Marshal, Health Canada, and municipal emergency services — a hazardous-materials operation that lasted ten days.
Three suspects — O’Quinn, Liang Xiong Guo, and Katie King — were arrested and face a combined 33 criminal charges.
O’Quinn faces 20 offences, including production and trafficking of Schedule I substances, possession of precursor chemicals, and multiple weapons violations involving a bullpup-style shotgun and a .22-calibre rifle.
Guo faces nine counts linked to the production and trafficking of methamphetamine and MDMA.
King faces four counts related to meth trafficking and illegal firearm possession.
RCMP officials said additional substances are undergoing Health Canada testing to determine whether synthetic opioids such as fentanyl were present.
Authorities also seized $8,000 in cash, multiple firearms, laboratory glassware, and chemicals capable of producing further drug batches valued in the millions.
“The complexity and danger of the operation required extensive inter-agency collaboration,” the RCMP said, thanking partners including the Ontario Provincial Police, Niagara Regional Police, York Regional Police, South Simcoe Police, the Ontario Fire Marshal, Health Canada, the Ministry of the Environment, and the Canada Border Services Agency.
Health Canada testing and court proceedings are ongoing.
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