COLD LAKE - RCMP have made arrests following a months-long investigation into illegal drug trafficking within the City of Cold Lake.
On Aug. 21, Cold Lake RCMP's General Investigation Section (GIS) concluded the investigation, with the assistance of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) in Lloydminster, the RCMP’s Community Response Team (CRT) in Edmonton, the RCMP’s Eastern Alberta District (EAD) Crime Reduction Unit (CRU), and the Bonnyville RCMP GIS. Police executed four search warrants in Cold Lake and arrested several individuals.
According to informatio from RCMP, as a result of the search warrants, police seized:
- Approx. 70 grams of suspected cocaine
- Approx. 100 grams of suspected methamphetamine
- A large quantity of prescription pills
- Over $26,000 in Canadian currency
- A loaded 40 calibre Glock handgun
- Other weapons and items consistent with drug trafficking
As a result of the investigation, two Cold Lake residents were arrested, including Karen Desjarlais, 42, and Warren Johannesen-Quail, 35, according to RCMP.
Desjarlais was charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and failing to comply with the conditions of a release order.
Johannesen-Quail was charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition, other firearms related charges, possession of proceeds of crime, and failing to comply with the conditions of a release order.
Both Desjarlais and Johannesen-Quail and were brought before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody. They are to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Cold Lake on Aug. 26.
