Bonnyville RCMP have arrested 35-year-old Mitchel LaPratt on outstanding warrants relating to methamphetamine trafficking charges.
On March 3, police were called regarding a suspicious male at the Cedar Barn around 5:15 p.m.
Officers attended and arrested LaPratt, a Bonnyville resident.
According to Sgt. Kim Hillier, LaPratt was wanted on warrants.
During a search of the suspect, police located .5-grams of methamphetamine. As a result, LaPratt is facing new charges of possession of the drug.
“He faces multiple charges out of Cold Lake and Bonnyville that include trafficking,” Hillier explained.
In total, LaPratt has 18 charges pending including three counts of possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and unauthorized possession of a firearm.
“Most of those charges that he was on warrant for stem from a file from Cold Lake from October 2017,” noted Hillier, adding because they’re trafficking charges, warrants for arrest come out much later.
LaPratt remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in the Cold Lake Provincial Courthouse on March 20.
RCMP reminding public about mixing cannabis and driving
“On March 4, at 9 p.m., RCMP were called to a local store where a possible impaired driver was seen leaving the parking lot. One male and two females were smoking marijuana and had left in a dark coloured Ford truck,” explained Hillier.
Officers made multiple patrols, however, they didn’t locate the vehicle.
Hillier said, “We would like to remind people that it’s illegal to smoke cannabis inside your vehicle.”
The penalty for first-time offenders is $575.
“The transport of cannabis in an open package within easy access of the driver or occupants also includes a ticket for $115,” continued Hillier. “It’s very similar for the offences regarding alcohol inside of vehicles.”
When it comes to impaired operation, the levels of cannabis in your blood that “constitute impaired operation are quite low.”
At two nanograms, Hillier explained how smoking one joint, depending on the THC levels, would put someone over the legal limit.
