POLICE TAKING AIM AT DRUG 'CONCERNS' ON RESERVE

The drugs seized during last weekend's bust on the Horse Lake First Nation
included street narcotics, and prescription pain-killers and sedatives, the
arresting officer said today.

"There are a lot of concerns with drug activity on the reserve right now
and we're responding to some of those concerns with arrests like this,"
said Const. Kevin Hunter of the Faust-based Lesser Slave Regional Police Force.

The force patrols eight reserves with 16 officers in northwestern Alberta
and runs a three-officer post out of the Beaverlodge RCMP detachment.

A 25-year-old woman and 18-year-old man have been each charged with four
counts of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking and one count
of possession of the proceeds of crime.

Hunter made the arrest after pulling over their car on the reserve west of
Hythe for a routine registration and insurance check.

In the vehicle, he discovered about $8,000 worth of marijuana, codeine,
morphine, the anti-anxiety drug lorazepam, drug-making equipment and cash.

"Luck was with us that day," he said.

On Monday, a justice of the peace in Edmonton released them on a
recognizance and promise to appear in Grande Prairie provincial court Oct. 4.

Their names and hometowns haven't been released, but Hunter said they were
from the Hythe area.

He said the investigation will continue on the reserve but no homes have
been searched yet.