Central Alberta
Three charged after investigators find fentanyl, meth, and cannabis on property at Bowden Institution
News Release from Innisfail RCMP
Drug Investigation Leads to Charges
A drug investigation at the Bowden Institution has resulted in charges after a year and a half long investigation. In November of 2019 Bowden Institution staff responded to suspicious activity on Correctional Service Canada’s property. A search was conducted that resulted in locating contraband that had been concealed on the property. The contraband packages contained fentanyl, methamphetamine, cannabis concentrates and tobacco. Innisfail RCMP General Investigation Section worked on the investigation in partnership with the Bowden Institution’s Security Intelligence Office and Slave Lake RCMP General Investigation Section.
Raymond Foss (32), Braden Foster (31) and Joshua Laboucan (23) all of Slave Lake, Alta., have been charged with:
- Trafficking a controlled substance, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (x2),
- Distribute Cannabis, contrary to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act, and
- Trespass by night.
Foss and Foster were arrested and after a judicial release hearing were remanded into custody. After a subsequent bail hearing, Foss was released. Foss and Foster’s next Court appearances are both scheduled for August 19, 2021 in Red Deer Provincial Court. Laboucan remains at large with outstanding warrants for his arrest.
Innisfail RCMP encourage the public to report any criminal or suspicious activity. Reports tell us where to look, who to look for, and where to patrol in the future. If you see a crime in progress, dial 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
Rural Albertans will be able to access surgeries quicker and closer to home now that the expansion and renovation of the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre is complete.
The Rocky Mountain House Health Centre has been providing residents with health care since 1971, including surgical services. Alberta Infrastructure has completed an addition to the facility, which includes a new operating room. This will enable approximately 120 Albertans per month to receive surgery, doubling the number of monthly surgeries. This additional, brand-new operating room is also expected to decrease the wait lists for surgeries.
The expanded Rocky Mountain House Health Centre provides an additional 440 square metres (4,736 square feet) and includes:
- a new operating room,
- 6 additional recovery beds,
- a patient support area, and
- an updated medical device reprocessing department.
The new spaces can be accessed from the existing site thanks to the addition of an upgraded hallway that connects the two buildings.
“Completing the expansion and renovation of the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre is a significant step forward in delivering Alberta Surgical Initiative projects province wide. This investment into health care infrastructure will increase surgical capacity, helping Albertans get treatment when and where they need it.”
The Rocky Mountain House Health Centre upgrade is part of the Alberta Surgical Initiative (ASI), which aims to enhance surgical capacity across the province by expanding and maximizing existing health care space. Over the next three years, the 2024 Capital Plan is providing $313 million for ASI projects throughout the province.
Alberta Infrastructure and Alberta Health Services share the responsibility for delivering ASI projects. Alberta Health Services leads the delivery of smaller projects, while Alberta Infrastructure delivers capital projects over $5 million.
“Albertans deserve timely access to surgeries, and they should be able to get them close to home. The expansion and renovation of the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre will increase its capacity so more Albertans can get the surgeries they need when they need them. Through the Alberta Surgical Initiative, we are improving access to surgical care and funding projects across the province, including in rural communities like Rocky Mountain House.”
Alberta Infrastructure is working on 20 ASI projects in communities across Alberta, including Brooks, Calgary, Camrose, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Innisfail, Lethbridge, Olds, Ponoka, St. Albert and Stettler. Lethbridge will be the next community to benefit from a completed ASI project. The expansion of two operating rooms and more surgical inpatient rooms at the Chinook Regional Hospital is anticipated to be completed later this fall.
“The expanded Rocky Mountain House Health Centre will help ensure more residents can access surgeries and receive the care they need in a timely manner. Investments like these in rural Alberta matter and I’d like to thank Minister Guthrie and Minister LaGrange for delivering on this project that will double our surgical capacity in Rocky Mountain House.”
Quick facts
- The total budget for the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre ASI project was $15 million.
- This Alberta Infrastructure project was completed on time and on budget. Approximately 85 construction-related jobs were created during the project.
- In addition to the new building, other renovations include new mechanical and electrical building systems.
- Alberta Infrastructure is managing other ASI projects at the following locations:
- Brooks Health Centre
- Calgary
- Alberta Children’s Hospital
- Foothills Medical Centre
- South Health Campus
- Camrose – St. Mary’s Hospital
- Edmonton
- Grey Nuns Community Hospital
- Misericordia Community Hospital
- Royal Alexandra Hospital
- Walter C. Mackenzie Centre (University of Alberta Hospital)
- Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital
- Innisfail Health Centre
- Lethbridge – Chinook Regional Hospital
- Olds Hospital and Care Centre
- Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre
- St. Albert – Sturgeon Community Hospital
- Stettler Hospital and Care Centre
- Other ASI projects completed by Alberta Infrastructure:
- Grande Prairie Regional Health Centre (completed in July 2022)
- University of Alberta (completed September 2023)
News release from Olds RCMP
Olds RCMP arrest individuals in stolen vehicle after two police cars struck
On Jan. 2, 2024, at 3:00 a.m., RCMP were notified of a suspicious vehicle operating in the industrial park on Imperial way in Olds. Upon officers approaching the vehicle, it rammed two police vehicles as it attempted to leave the area, rendering both inoperable. The vehicle came to a stop and both occupants were arrested. Checks on the vehicle revealed that it was stolen.
Eric Michael Unger (33) has been charged with:
- Possession of stolen property over $5000
- Possession of Break in tools
- Flight from police
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Dangerous Driving
- Fail to comply with release order
- Assault with weapon of a police officer (x2)
- Fail to comply with a probation order
Unger was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set for Jan. 8, 2024 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Didsbury.
Another 29-year-old male resident of Red Deer was arrested and has charges pending.
“This is the 4th Olds police car struck by another vehicle in the last 4 weeks,” say Staff Sergeant Warren Wrights.” This demonstrates the dangers our officers face while executing their duties.”
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