Staff
It may have occurred on April 1, but it certainly was no laughing matter as three Rimbey women are facing some serious drug charges following a raid on a residence in the community.
“At approximately 8 p.m., the RCMP executed a search warrant on a residence in Rimbey. Upon entry, five adults were found in the home along with a two-year-old child,” said Sgt. Mark Groves.
Two persons were arrested and are now facing four counts each under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, including 24 year-old Ashley Snook of Rimbey, who has been charged with possession of cocaine for the purposes of trafficking, trafficking in cocaine and being in possession of the proceeds of crime.
Facing the same charges is 23 year-old Robyn Renshaw, also of Rimbey.
A third person, a 26 year-old female also of Rimbey, has been charged with possession of cocaine and possession of marihuana. Her name cannot be released until she has been formally arraigned and will make her first court appearance on May 7 in Rimbey.
The total weight of the cocaine seized is yet to be determines however during the raid police also found over $1,000 in cash, which was seized in relation to the charges.
“The RCMP utilized intelligence gained through community sources and investigative techniques to gather enough information to formally execute a search warrant issued by a justice of the peace,” Groves said. “The investigation into this matter is part of a campaign to target the use of illegal drugs in the community and this was one case where we successfully put a dent in the limited cocaine market in town.”
And while Groves said he was pleased to see two less dealers in the community, he was equally upset to see a young child in the home at the time of the raid.
“Well it’s not unusual, and that’s the sad part. It does happen and that’s why we do involve child and social services, because they need to be involved in a situation like that,” Groves said. “The RCMP is continuing the DARE program through the schools and we are attempting to educate the public in other ways to deter people from going down that path.”