Since the beginning of February 2015, Wabowden RCMP have made several seizures of drugs and alcohol headed to Norway House, Manitoba. Norway House is a dry community that does not permit the possession of alcohol on community land.
On February 4, 2015, at approximately 6:45pm, Wabowden RCMP initiated a traffic stop on a pickup truck at Highway 6 at Kiski Creek. The male driver and female passenger, both from Stetler, Alberta, were questioned and the vehicle was searched. In the vehicle, police found more than 600 assorted prescription pills, a gram of marijuana, several morphine capsules, a quantity of morphine powder and a variety of drug paraphernalia. An Alberta licence plate connected to a stolen vehicle was also recovered by police.
Patrick Osbourne, 42, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on a charge of possession of marijuana. He received a new charge of possession of stolen property. Valerie Morris, 35, was arrested and charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. Both were released to appear in Thompson Provincial Court, but failed to appear and are now wanted on a failure to appear warrant. It is believed they are in Alberta.
On March 10, 2015, just before 5pm, Wabowden RCMP initiated a traffic stop on a pickup truck at Highway 6, near the Highway 373 junction. The male driver and male passenger were questioned and the vehicle was searched. In the vehicle, police found three bottles of alcohol and 130 grams of marijuana. The driver, Irvin Swanson, 52, from Norway House, was charged with unlawful transportation of liquor. The passenger was identified as Brendan Ettawaccapo, 20, from Norway House. He is charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime.
On March 31, 2015, at 4pm, Wabowden RCMP initiated a traffic stop on Highway 373, near Highway 6. The driver, 59-year-old Gordon Queskekapow from Norway House, was on a recognizance for liquor trafficking and firearms charges. RCMP searched his vehicle and seized 50 bottles of alcohol. Queskekapow was arrested for breach of recognizance and unlawful transportation of liquor. He will appear in Thompson Provincial Court on May 22, 2015.
On April 14, 2015, just after 8pm, Wabowden RCMP initiated a traffic stop on Highway 373, just east of Highway 6. The female driver and three passengers were questioned and the vehicle was searched. In the vehicle, police found 19 grams of cocaine, a small quantity of pills, a replica firearm and cash. The driver of the vehicle, 39-year-old Glenda Muskego from Norway House, is charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of an imitation firearm. Two male passengers from Norway House, aged 29 and 31, and one male passenger, 29, from Cross Lake, were released without charge. Muskego will appear in Thompson Provincial Court on June 12, 2015.
On April 18, 2015, at approximately 9:15pm, Wabowden RCMP stopped an unregistered vehicle on Highway 373, near Highway 6. The male driver and female passenger were questioned and the vehicle was searched. RCMP seized 20 bottles of alcohol destined for Norway House. Sonya Balfour, 26, of Norway House is charged with Unlawful Transportation of Liquor.
Anyone with information regarding drug trafficking is asked to call their local police agency or RCMP Detachment, or call CrimeStoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. You can also submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com or text TIPMAN plus your message to CRIMES(274637).