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By Nathaniel Leigh

RCMP

Grande Prairie RCMP make multiple drug-related arrests in February

Apr 2, 2025 | 2:20 PM

During a virtual media event, Grande Prairie RCMP announced four separate events in February where the RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit made arrests related to the possession of illegal drugs.

On Feb. 3, 2025, Grande Prairie RCMP CRU members, while on an unrelated call, witnessed a drug exchange involving an individual known to police.

This individual had been arrested twice in Oct. 2024 for similar offences. He was brought before a justice of the peace and released on both occasions.

As a result of the investigation, 36 g of fentanyl were seized and Richard Dennis Foss (36), a resident of Grande Prairie, was charged with:

• Possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking;
• Possession of property obtained by crime; and
• Failure to comply with release order (x4).

Foss was brought before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody. He is to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Grande Prairie on Dec. 2, 2025.

On Feb. 19, 2025, Grande Prairie RCMP CRU conducted a traffic stop in the Grande Prairie area, resulting in the arrest of three individuals.

A search of the vehicle and its occupants revealed:

• 95 g of cocaine;
• 126 oxy pills;
• $1660 in Canadian currency; and
• Unstamped tobacco products.

As a result of the investigation, the following individuals were arrested and charged:

Jody Ellen Gillott (50) and Chace Robert Martin (30), residents of Grande Prairie, as well as Chantel Elizabeth Moulton (23), a resident of Clairmont, Alta., were charged with:

• Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking;
• Possession of oxy for the purpose of trafficking;
• Possession of property obtained by crime; and
• Possession of unstamped tobacco.

Gillott, Martin and Moulton were released on conditions after their arrest and are to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Grande Prairie on June 4, 2025.

On Feb. 20, 2025, Grande Prairie RCMP CRU conducted a traffic stop in the Grande Prairie area, from which a vehicle fled.

The vehicle was later located by CRU members, who safely arrested the driver, who had multiple outstanding warrants, including one for assault with a weapon.

A search of the vehicle incidental to arrest revealed 86 g of methamphetamines and 5 g of fentanyl.

As a result of the investigation, Rosanna Vivian Carifelle (44), a resident of Peace River, was charged with:

• Possession of methamphetamines for the purpose of trafficking;
• Possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking;
• Dangerous Driving;
• Flight from Peace Officer; and
• Failure to comply with release order (x2).

Carifelle was brought before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody, to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Peace River on April 7, 2025.

On Feb. 27, 2025, Grande Prairie RCMP CRU conducted a traffic stop in the Grande Prairie area, resulting in the arrest of three individuals.

A search of the vehicle and its occupants revealed:

A handgun, complete with extra ammunition.

The handgun was later discovered to have been stolen during a break and enter;

• 13 grams of fentanyl;
• 33 grams of cocaine; and
• 33 grams of methamphetamines.

As a result of the investigation, the following individuals were arrested and charged:

Kenneth Shea (41), a resident of Crooked Creek, Alta., and Richard Leonard Trautman (54), a resident of Grande Prairie, were charged with:

• Possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking;
• Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking;
• Possession of methamphetamines for the purpose of trafficking;
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000; and
• Firearms-related offences (x6).

Ricky Howard Vance (41), a resident of Grande Prairie, was charged with:

• Possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking;
• Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking;
• Possession of methamphetamines for the purpose of trafficking;
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000;
• Firearms-related offences (x6); and
• Failure to comply with release order.

Shea, Trautman and Vance were all brought before a justice of the peace and originally remanded into custody. Shea and Trautman have since been released. All three are to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Grande Prairie on April 9, 2025.

RCMP Staff Sergeant Groenen is thanking the CRU for their hard work and dedication to keeping our community safe.

He says the CRU believes it its mission to help the community and do so by ensuring drugs such as fentanyl are removed form our streets.

– Contains information provided by Grande Prairie RCMP