RCMP RELEASE – May 21, 2021
Spirit River RCMP charge male for firearms, trafficking and proceeds offences
Spirit River, Alta.—On May 18, 2021, at 9:30 a.m., Spirit River RCMP received a call of a suspicious nature of a vehicle that was stuck in a remote area and unable to obtain assistance with towing services.
Spirit River RCMP located the vehicle in a remote area near Township Road 775A in Saddle Hills County, Alta. As a result of further investigation, the driver was arrested for unsafe storage of a firearm. An initial search of the vehicle resulted in a seizure of: a loaded 12 gauge shotgun, loaded magazines, sawed-off rifle, and a gun case. Spirit River RCMP, along with the assistance of the National Weapons Enforcement Team, determined one of the firearms was prohibited.
Spirit River RCMP obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. The search resulted in the following items being seized: approximately $21,000 in Canadian Currency, a quantity of pills believed to be steroids.
Spirit River RCMP charged Shane Edward Craig (30) of Edmonton with:
- Possess firearm contrary to firearms prohibition
- Possess ammunition contrary to firearms and ammunition prohibition
- Possess prohibited firearm with ammunition
- Possess firearms with defaced serial numbers
- Unsafe storage of firearm (x2)
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (steroids)
- Possession of property obtained by crime – proceeds of crime
Following a judicial hearing, Craig was released on cash bail with conditions to attend Grande Prairie Provincial Court on June 21, 2021.
As a result of follow-up on this investigation, Spirit River RCMP obtained a search warrant for a motel room located in Rycroft, Alta. As a result of the search, police seized: 8.5 oz of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, 80 tablets of steroids, 13 vials of liquid steroid, approximately $2,000 in Canadian Currency, ammunition. This investigation has also resulted in the seizure of the 2021 Yukon Denali, of a value of over $100,000, as proceeds of crime.
On May 19, 2021, Spirit River RCMP arrested Shane Edward Craig (30) and he was charged with:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (steroids)
- Possession of property obtained by crime – proceeds of crime
Following a judicial hearing, Craig was released on cash bail with conditions to attend Grande Prairie Provincial Court on June 2, 2021.
As this matter is now before the courts, no further details will be provided.
“Spirit River RCMP Detachment is continuously working towards our goal of reducing and disrupting rural crime and identifying those responsible,” says Cst. Hailey Hoffmann of the Spirit River RCMP. “This seizure will have a large impact in helping to reduce drug and property crime in our area and as a result, lead to a safer community.”
