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Lloydminster RCMP target street level organized crime, arrest 40 in round up

In April the Lloydminster RCMP were involved in a cross border, intelligence led operation targeting street level organized crime and gangs and arrested approximately 40 people involved in gang activity.
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RCMP

In April the Lloydminster RCMP were involved in a cross border, intelligence led operation targeting street level organized crime and gangs and arrested approximately 40 people involved in gang activity.

RCMP recovered several stolen vehicles, firearms, drugs, and executed numerous outstanding warrants from Lloydminster and surrounding jurisdictions.

“The Lloydminster RCMP will continue to target those involved in gang activity in and around our community,” said Inspector Lee Brachmann, Officer in charge of the Lloydminster RCMP.

“Our intelligence led approach allows us to put additional emphasis on street level gangs, which have been identified as a policing priority for our city.”

The operation involved RCMP K Division Air Services, Lloydminster RCMP general duty members, Lloydminster RCMP General Investigations Section, Lloydminster RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, Police Dog Services, Eastern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (EADCRU), and Saskatchewan F Division RCMP Crime Reduction Team.

On April 21, Eastern Alberta District CRU members stopped a vehicle in Lloydminster and determined the driver was suspended from driving. During the investigation, police located a loaded firearm as well as brass knuckles in the vehicle. The driver was under a court ordered firearms prohibition at the time.

Arlyn Harper, 31, of Lloydminster, was charged with four counts of possession of a weapon contrary to authorization, unauthorized possession of a firearm/prohibited weapon, and driving while unauthorized. Harper was released by a Justice of the Peace and appears in Lloydminster, Alta., court on May 18.

On April 21, Lloydminster RCMP members spotted a stolen vehicle at a residence in Lloydminster, Alta. A traffic stop was initiated, and the driver failed to stop for police. RCMP Air Services were able to deploy and track the vehicle as it fled north out of Lloydminster. The vehicle continued to flee to an area north of Marwayne where it drove through a fence and eventually became stuck in a field. The occupants fled from the vehicle and were apprehended with the assistance of Lloydminster RCMP Police Dog Services.

Krista Dillon, 24, of Onion Lake, Sask., was charged with possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

Stacey Pahtayken, 33, of Onion Lake, Sask., was charged with possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

Troy MacDonald, 40, of Onion Lake, Sask., was charged with flight from police office, operate a motor vehicle while prohibited, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, failing to comply with a release condition, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

Dillon and Pahtayken were released to appear in court in Lloydminster on June 15 while Harper was remanded into custody pending his court appearance.

On April 22, Lloydminster RCMP members conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle suspected to be involved in organized crime activities. Throughout the investigation, police located cocaine and methamphetamine consistent with packaging used for drug trafficking.

Brandon Cook, 24, of Onion Lake, Sask., was charged with two counts of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, and four counts of failing to comply with a release condition.

Christian Heathen, 24, of Onion Lake, Sask., was charged with two counts of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, failing to comply with a probation order, and three counts of failing to comply with a release condition.

Blair Swiftwolfe, 24, of Moosomin First Nation, Sask., Tracey Cook, 31, of Onion Lake, Sask., and Demeris Cook, 22, of Onion Lake, Sask., have each been charged with two counts of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

On April 22 at approximately 8:15 p.m., Lloydminster RCMP attempted to stop a vehicle that had been involved in fleeing from police on several occasions recently. The vehicle fled from police again in a dangerous manner, before police finally located the vehicle at a residence, and all occupants were arrested.

Patricia Hill, 43, of Lloydminster, has been charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired, operating a motor vehicle over .08, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and flight from a police officer.

Nikkita Hill, 25, of Lloydminster, has been charged with flight from a police officer.

Shaylene Lewis, 25, of Lloydminster was charged with obstructing a peace officer.

Lewis was found to be in breach of a previously issued Conditional Sentence Order, however, she was released again by a Justice of the Peace and appears in court in Lloydminster, Alta., on May 11.

On April 23, at approximately 7:15 p.m., Lloydminster RCMP Crime Reduction Unit attempted to stop a vehicle, which then fled from police. Assistance was requested from K Division Air Services, and the vehicle was tracked to an area north of Maidstone, Sask. All occupants of the vehicle were arrested on new charges as well as outstanding warrants.

Damian Dillon, 26, of Onion Lake, Sask., has been charged with flight from police officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, operate a motor vehicle while prohibited, and two counts of failing to comply with release conditions.

Jordan Lysohirka, 24, of Lloydminster, has been charged with failing to comply with a release order condition.

On April 24 at approximately 2:30 p.m, EADCRU and Lloydminster RCMP Crime Reduction Unit members stopped a vehicle in Lloydminster, Sask. RCMP discovered that the driver was in possession of bear spray as well as a quantity of drugs. As the investigation progressed, Lloydminster RCMP members obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 2500 block of 47 Avenue in Lloydminster, Sask. During the search, police located additional amounts of substances believed to be cocaine and heroin, as well as items consistent with drug trafficking.

Daniel Vandale, 33, of Meadow Lake, Sask., has been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking- cocaine, possession of a controlled substance- heroin, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and driving while prohibited.

Deanna Pahtayken, 31, of Onion Lake, Sask., Adrian Pahtayken, 36, of Lloydminster, Jessica Myo, 31, of North Battleford and Roger Couston, 35, of Lloydminster, have all been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking cocaine.

Vandale has been remanded into custody awaiting court in Lloydminster, Sask. on May 6, while the other additional accused persons were released at their first court appearance to appear in Lloydminster, Sask., court at a later date.

If you are associated with a gang and want to leave it, contact STR8 UP in northern Saskatchewan at 306-763-3001, STR8 UP in central Saskatchewan at 306-244-1771, or Regina Treaty Status Indian Services in southern Saskatchewan at 306-522-7494 to get assistance.

If you are aware of any crime or suspicious activity, please contact the Lloydminster RCMP Detachment at (780) 808-8400 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.