Cold Lake RCMP Hold Traffic Stop Blitz & Checkstops

The Cold Lake RCMP Detachments kicked off their holiday checkstop season with a traffic stop blitz last weekend, November 13-15. S/Sgt Jeremie Landry says the detachment is starting to ramp up its patrols and enforcement as the holiday season is fast approaching.

“Impaired driving seems to occur more frequently during the holidays,” states S/Sgt. Landry. During the three-day period the detachment heavily patrolled the City, as well as, Elizabeth Metis Settlement. There were two checkstops, one on 50th avenue and another on 38 street during the weekend.

There was a combination of 50 tickets and warnings issued by the Cold Lake RCMP Detachment during the blitz. “The detachment that was on shift, over the weekend, focused a lot of their efforts on traffic enforcement on Friday and Saturday night,” says S/Sgt. Landry.

Six people were charged under the controlled drugs and substances act, which were the result of drug seizures out of four vehicles. Three of the six charges were for the possession of cocaine. One of the cases involving cocaine happened during the late evening hours of November 15th. A vehicle pulled up to the checkstop with evidence of drugs inside, the driver was arrested and the vehicle was searched. Cocaine was found in the vehicle, which resulted in charges pending on a 22 year old male from Cold Lake, for possession of cocaine.

There was one 24 hour suspension given out for impaired by drugs on November 13th, after RCMP responded to a complaint of an impaired driver. RCMP located the suspect vehicle, stopped the vehicle and discovered a substantial amount of cannabis marihuana in the vehicle. Charges are pending on the driver, a 65 year old male from La Loche, SK and the passenger a 64 year old male from Janvier First Nations. Four tickets were issued on the driver, including displaying an unauthorized plate, operation of a motor vehicle without registration, operating a motor vehicle without a driver’s licence and failure to provide police officer with a certificate of registration.

In addition, two people were charged with impaired driving.The first impaired driving charge was placed on a 23 year old female from Cold Lake on November 13th. In the early evening hours, RCMP were called to assist detachment members at a checkstop on 50th avenue where the female was stopped. The female provided breath samples over the legal limit and charges of impaired driving are pending.

Also on November 13th, the second impaired driving charge was placed on a 26 year old male from the Duffield Paul First Nations. The male was arrested at the 38th street checkstop after showing signs of intoxication and providing breath samples over the legal limit.

“That was a very successful weekend, as far as traffic enforcement, stopping impaired driving and drugs,” states S/Sgt. Landry.

We will continue increased presence throughout the holiday season – S/Sgt Jeremie Landry Cold Lake RCMP Detachment