Three arrested, one warrant issued following Grande Prairie drug seizure

GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALTA — Three people from Dawson Creek have been arrested on drug trafficking charges in Grande Prairie, and a warrant has been issued for the arrest of a fourth.

According to a press release from the Alberta city’s RCMP detachment, on May 17th, officers in the city attempted to stop a Chevrolet Cruze that had a licence plate which was reported as stolen.

The driver of that vehicle reportedly fled the scene, but later that day, officers say they located the vehicle as it parked outside the hotel.

Police say its occupants then left the vehicle and “fled into a room in a neighboring motel while carrying a guitar case.”

“Grande Prairie Crime Reduction Unit members called out the suspects, who complied and exited, then entered to conduct a safety sweep of the room, at which point they noticed firearms,” the detachment claims in a press release.

“A search warrant was obtained for the room. Three individuals, one being a youth, were arrested and further investigation revealed a fourth suspect. There is currently a warrant for her arrest.”

As a result of the search warrant, police officers claim they seized large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamines, fentanyl and oxy pills, alongside a loaded handgun, a stolen Kodiak Defence rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, a modified 22-calibre rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Thirty-year-old Tanner Allan Murray, 29-year-old Justin David Sinclair and 39-year-old Shawna Elizabeth Capot were all issued the following charges, alongside a youth from Dawson Creek who was not identified by police:

• Possession of controlled substance for trafficking (x4);
• Possession of property obtained by crime;
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm (x4); and
• Possession of a stolen firearm

The quartet were also charged with eight other firearm-related offences not detailed by officers in the press release. Murray also received the following additional charges:

• Flight from police;
• Dangerous driving;
• Resisting arrest;
• Driving while prohibited; and
• Four counts of possession of firearms contrary to an order 

Murray, Sinclair and the youth were brought before a justice of the peace. Murray and Sinclair were remanded into police custody, with hearings scheduled for May 21st in Grande Prairie. 

Meanwhile, the youth was released on conditions, with a hearing scheduled for June 16th in Grande Prairie.

Officers claim Shawna Elizabeth Capot is still at large, and a warrant has been issued for her arrest.