Crime
Morinville RCMP Arrest Two Males for Possession of Stolen Property
Sturgeon County, Alberta – On the early morning of May 27, 2018 Morinville RCMP were conducting targeted patrols in the area of ProNorth Industrial Park in Sturgeon County when they completed a traffic stop with a suspicious white Dodge Ram truck. Police checks confirmed the vehicle was registered to a male with a suspended driver’s license and a number of outstanding warrants related to break and enters in the ProNorth Industrial Park.
During the traffic stop, Morinville RCMP entered into an investigation of possession of stolen property, as a number of construction tools and industrial black insulated copper cable were located in the vehicle. Subsequently, the driver and passenger were both arrested.
Morinville RCMP completed follow-up patrols and were flagged down by a victim of a break and enter. Property belonging to that victim was located in the possession of the driver and passenger of the suspect vehicle.
The driver, Kevin ROTH, of Edmonton, Alberta has been charged with the following new offences:
- Criminal Code 355(b) – Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000 x 2;
- Criminal Code 129(a) – Obstruction;
- Criminal Code 259(4) Unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in Canada;
- Criminal Code 351(1) – Possession of Break-In Instrument;
ROTH is also charged with the following offences related to outstanding warrants:
- Criminal Code 355(a) – Possession of Property Obtained by Crime exceeding $5000;
- Criminal Code 430(3) – Mischief exceeding $5000 x2
- Criminal Code 733.1(1) – Fail to comply with probation;
ROTH remains in custody until his next court appearance in Morinville on June 14, 2018.
The passenger, Timothy MAMMEN, of Edmonton, Alberta has been charged with the following offences
- Criminal Code 355(b) – Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000 x 2;
- Criminal Code 351(1) – Possession of Break-In Instrument;
MAMMEN was released on bail to attend court in Morinville on June 21, 2018.
With the help of advanced analytical tools and increased resources, the Alberta RCMP’s Crime Reduction Units work diligently to focus on the type of crimes that rural residents feel the most: property crimes committed by a small number of repeat offenders.
If you have information about this incident, please call the Morinville RCMP at 780-939-4520 or call your local police. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.ab.ca for instructions).
For more stories visit Todayville.com
New release from Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC)
Record setting contraband tobacco seizures result from AGLC investigations
Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) recently concluded several investigations which netted two of the largest contraband tobacco seizures in Alberta history. The combined total of the contraband tobacco seized was 154,800 cartons of contraband cigarettes (30.7 million individual cigarettes). These seizures are a result of the work conducted by AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit with the assistance of provincial law enforcement agencies.
- In a January 2024 investigation, approximately 43,500 cartons (8.7 million individual cigarettes) were seized. This equates to $7 million in retail value with a provincial tax avoidance of $2.4 million. This included the seizure of 15,000 grams of contraband shisha.
- In April of 2024, 60 wrapped pallets were seized from a warehouse setting netting a total of 111,300 cartons of contraband cigarettes (22 million individual cigarettes) which equates to over $18 million in retail value with a provincial tax avoidance of $6.6 million.
- Criminal Charges are pending in both cases.
“These are significant contraband tobacco investigations involving individuals that are part of organized networks whose proceeds defraud Albertans millions of dollars in tax revenue. AGLC will continue to work with our partners to investigate and disrupt the individuals and organizations involved in these illegal activities as part our commitment to a strong contraband tobacco enforcement program in Alberta.”
- Gary Peck, Vice President, Regulatory Services, AGLC
“Contraband tobacco hurts law abiding businesses that follow the rules, and it costs Albertans millions each year from lost tax revenue. Our government is committed to keeping illegal tobacco off the streets and ensuring that the sale of tobacco products comply with the law.”
- Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
Over the last nine months, AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement unit has seized an estimated 35 million contraband cigarettes and 115,000 grams of contraband shisha from across the province. The total potential lost tax revenue is estimated to be more than $10.1 million.
Contraband tobacco:
- is any tobacco product that does not comply with federal and provincial laws related to importation, marking, manufacturing, stamping and payment of duties and taxes;
- comes from four main sources: illegal manufacturers, counterfeits, tax-exempt diversions and resale of stolen legal tobacco; and
- can be recognized by the absence of a red (Alberta) or peach/light tan (Canada) stamp bearing the “DUTY PAID CANADA DROIT ACQUITTÉ” on packages of cigarettes and cigars or pouches of tobacco.
In addition to lost revenues that may otherwise benefit Albertans, illegally manufactured products also pose public health and safety risks as they lack regulatory controls and inspections oversight.
Albertans who suspect illegal tobacco production, packaging and/or trafficking are encouraged to contact AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit at 1-800-577-2522 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Under a Memorandum of Understanding with Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, AGLC enforces the Tobacco Tax Act and conducts criminal investigations related to the possession, distribution and trafficking of contraband tobacco products. In 2022-23, provincial revenue from tobacco taxes was approximately $522 million.
From The Center Square
DEA officials remain skeptical of reports that Mexican cartel leaders have ordered their producers to stop making fentanyl.
In early 2023, the leaders of the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels reportedly ordered subordinates to stop the production of fentanyl. In October 2023, Los Chapitos, the group led by the four sons of imprisoned boss Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, hung banners in prominent locations in Sinaloa, Sonora, and Baja California ordering the fentanyl ban.
DEA officials made it clear in the latest National Drug Threat Assessment that they are doubtful.
“The ban is probably a public relations stunt, however, or an attempt by the cartels to consolidate production among a smaller number of trusted manufacturers and punish others,” according to the report.
Furthermore, DEA officials have seen no indication of a reduction in the illicit fentanyl supply.
“Throughout 2023, fentanyl was seized at the border in equal or higher quantities as in previous years, and no DEA field office reported that fentanyl is less available or more expensive, either of which would point to a decrease in the supply,” according to the report.
Illicit fentanyl killed nearly 38,000 Americans in the first six months of 2023, according to the DEA report. Synthetic opioids were involved in 74,225 deaths in 2022 – 68% of the total 111,036 deaths that year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
DEA officials said the cartels use precursor chemicals from China along with pill presses to press fentanyl into pills that resemble prescription medication. Cartels and street dealers also mix illicit fentanyl with other drugs including heroin and cocaine, increasing the risk of overdose or death.
The report also noted that the purity level of illicit fentanyl in the U.S. drug market has increased and the amount of fentanyl found in counterfeit prescription pills has increased, making the nation’s top drug threat even more dangerous.
Seizures of fentanyl are at record levels, according to the report. Over the past two years seizures of fentanyl powder nearly doubled. DEA seized 29,048 pounds of fentanyl in 2023. And the more than 79 million fentanyl pills seized by DEA in 2023 was almost triple what was seized in 2021.
Brett Rowland
Investigative Reporter
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