LLOYDMINSTER – A routine call for a suspected impaired driver early Wednesday morning escalated into a significant drug and weapons seizure for the Lloydminster RCMP.
Officers were dispatched to the east side of the city at about 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 3, after getting a report that someone was passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle. When police arrived, they found the driver, and while approaching the vehicle, observed what they believed to be a controlled substance in plain view.
The driver, Joey Hillier, 32, of the R. M. of Wilton, was arrested. A search of the vehicle turned up a loaded .45 caliber handgun, a .22 caliber handgun, brass knuckles, bear spray, ammunition, about 15 grams of suspected fentanyl, and 30 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
“Traffic stops and calls for service like this demonstrate the dangers our frontline members face daily,” said Sgt. Christopher Byford of the Lloydminster RCMP. “This seizure prevented a large quantity of dangerous drugs and firearms from reaching our community.”
Hillier was charged with 16 offences, including possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, possession of restricted firearms, and multiple firearm and weapon-related offences.
Hillier was brought before a justice of the peace and remanded in custody. He is scheduled to appear in Lloydminster, Sask., Provincial Court on Sept. 8.
Anyone with information about drug trafficking or illegal firearms in the Lloydminster area is asked to contact Lloydminster RCMP at 780-808-8400. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can 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. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play. To contact RCMP non-emergency line within any Alberta RCMP jurisdiction call 310-RCMP(7267).
