6 Locals Charged in Fish Trafficking Case
Six Cold Lake residents have been charged with a combined 41 charges for illegal possession and trafficking of fish, after an undercover investigation by Alberta’s Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Branch. Charges include unlawful buying, selling, and possessing walleye, lake trout, lake whitefish & other species.
The investigation included the execution of search warrants on two residences. 118 packages of fish that were being stored were among items seized as a result of the warrants. Other items seized included: 2009 Nissan pickup truck, an electric smoker, gill nets and other fishing gear, as well as 118 fish packages that will be kept in storage.
The Accused
- Thomas Leslie Duckett
11 Counts – Traffic Fish (sell) – General Fisheries (Alberta) Regulation 9(4)(a)
10 Counts – Unlawful Possession – General Fisheries (Alberta) Regulation 25(3) - Keenan Rene Charland
3 Counts – Traffic Fish (sell) – General Fisheries (Alberta) Regulation 9(4)(a)
5 Counts – Unlawful Possession – General Fisheries (Alberta) Regulation 25(3) - Gerald Charland
1 Count – Traffic Fish (sell) – General Fisheries (Alberta) Regulation 9(4)(a)
5 Counts – Unlawful Possession – General Fisheries (Alberta) Regulation 25(3) - Darrell Raymond Eklund
1 Count – Traffic Fish (buy) – General Fisheries (Alberta) Regulation 9(4)(a)
1 Count – Unlawful Possession – General Fisheries (Alberta) Regulation 25(3) - Larry James Denning
1 Count – Traffic Fish (buy) – General Fisheries (Alberta) Regulation 9(4)(a)
1 Count – Unlawful Possession – General Fisheries (Alberta) Regulation 25(3) - Susan Irene Hollett
1 Count – Traffic Fish (buy) – General Fisheries (Alberta) Regulation 9(4)(a)
1 Count – Unlawful Possession – General Fisheries (Alberta) Regulation 25(3)
The initial court appearances, for all six accused, are scheduled for Cold Lake on May 25, 2016.