CHESTERMERE, Alta., – A routine traffic stop by an Alberta RCMP Roving Traffic Unit (RTU) South Team member escalated into a significant drug seizure after police uncovered a cache of narcotics, including fentanyl and cocaine, with an estimated street value of $53,000.
The incident began when an officer pulled over a vehicle for a sobriety check. Suspecting possible drug involvement, the officer called in RCMP Police Dog Services, leading to the deployment of specialized drug detection dog "Mando." The K9 unit quickly alerted officers to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle.
With help from the Chestermere RCMP Detachment, a search uncovered 260 grams of fentanyl and 10 grams of cocaine. Police arrested the driver, Ibrahim Al-Taai, 21, of Saskatoon, Sask.
Al-Taai now faces multiple charges, including possession of fentanyl and cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, obstructing a police officer, and identity fraud. Following his arrest, he was released under conditions and is scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary on June 20.
"The Roving Traffic Units are teams of RCMP members who are assigned to Alberta RCMP Traffic and have received specialized training and equipment in order to conduct criminal interdiction to detect individuals involved in criminal activity, such as drug and weapon trafficking,” said S/Sgt Darrell Dickinson, Traffic Service Coordinator for Alberta RCMP Traffic.
“RTU teams target areas that are transportation routes, where there is a likelihood of intercepting those who are trafficking in illegal goods, while still providing enhanced traffic enforcement in the area. The success of these specialized units highlights their importance as well as their efficiency in targeting traveling criminals and reducing illicit drugs from reaching the streets."
