A joint RCMP operation has led to the arrest of a violent offender and the seizure of drugs, cash and a gun following a late July investigation in Central Alberta.
On July 30, Wetaskiwin RCMP, with the support of several specialized units, located Aaron James Olsen at a property in Ponoka. Officers observed the 42-year-old Beaver County resident trafficking drugs from a vehicle and arrested him along with a passenger after conducting a traffic stop.
A search of the vehicle and a subsequent warrant execution resulted in the seizure of:
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$6,850 in cash
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90 grams of fentanyl
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112 grams of cocaine
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149 grams of methamphetamine
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One firearm
Police later searched the Ponoka property, seizing an additional $1,360 in cash, 20 grams of methamphetamine, drug trafficking materials, brass knuckles and ammunition.
Olsen, who was wanted on multiple warrants including assaulting a police officer and flight from police, now faces several new charges, including:
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Possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance (×3)
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Weapons offences (×3)
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Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
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Possession of a weapon contrary to order (×3)
He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 1 in Ponoka.
His passenger, 29-year-old Paige Tamara Ziegler of Drayton Valley, was also charged with:
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Possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance (×3)
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Weapons offences (×3)
She was remanded into custody and is also scheduled to appear in court Aug. 1 in Ponoka.
The occupant of the residence, 45-year-old Lauren Elliot Curtis, was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. He was released and is due in court Aug. 22.
RCMP say the operation involved the Wetaskiwin and Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Units, Emergency Response Team, K Division Air Services, K Division RTOC, Ponoka RCMP and Police Dog Services.
“The collaborative efforts between multiple RCMP specialized teams has led to the successful arrest of a violent priority offender and the disruption of drug trafficking activities in Central Alberta,” said Const. Tom Rutland in a statement.
Police continue to encourage the public to report suspicious activity, noting that community information remains vital to crime reduction.
** With information from Alberta RCMP.
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