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26 diamond rings, illicit drugs and handguns seized by Alberta's RCMP traffic unit

Alberta RCMP says since the beginning of this year, their Roving Traffic Unit has intercepted crime and seized contraband during 11 roadside stops. (David Bell/CBC - image credit)
Alberta RCMP says since the beginning of this year, their Roving Traffic Unit has intercepted crime and seized contraband during 11 roadside stops. (David Bell/CBC - image credit)

The Alberta RCMP's Roving Traffic Unit has seized over 50,000 doses of illicit drugs and nearly $150,000 worth of contraband items, including diamonds, jewlery and handguns, in a series of traffic stops on Alberta roadways since January.

The specialized unit works to stop travelling crime across Alberta by seizing contraband and intercepting criminal activity.

Since the beginning of this year, the unit has made 11 seizures, resulting in over 50,000 doses of illicit drugs being removed from communities, as well as over $148,900 worth of contraband items, the RTU said in a release Thursday.

Contraband items processed include $32,645 in Canadian currency, $115,767 in diamonds and jewellery, as well as six handguns.

Recent significant seizures:
  • During a March traffic stop in Banff, the RTU intercepted two vehicles travelling together, one of which had been stolen. The driver of the second vehicle fled, while the driver of the stolen vehicle remained on the scene. When police searched the stolen vehicle, they found four pistols and one kilogram of fentanyl — approximately 10,000 doses. RCMP located the other driver in Canmore and seized two loaded pistols, approximately $15,000 in cash, an assault rifle suppressor and cellphones, as well as 26 diamond rings and seven diamonds related to a recent robbery.
  • In April, RTU members pulled over an Alberta-plated pickup truck in Banff which turned out to be carrying 143 cannabis plants for the purpose of distribution. The driver was arrested.
  • In Canmore, the RTU stopped a car with B.C. plates later in April. During their investigation, both occupants were arrested and police seized 750 grams of methamphetamine, 500 grams of cocaine and 100 grams of what police described as "suspected fentanyl."