'He's pretty proud of himself': RCMP dog helps uncover nearly $7M worth of cocaine near Hinton
What began as a traffic stop resulted in what the Alberta RCMP call an "extremely significant" drug seizure.
On Oct. 23, a westbound vehicle was stopped for vehicle equipment infractions on Highway 16, near Hinton.
"During the traffic stop the officer noted signs to him that would be significant in regards to a drug investigation," said Sgt. Darrin Turnbull, with the Alberta RCMP traffic unit.
The officer then brought his partner, a German Shepherd named Cairo who is trained in narcotics detection to the car.
"The dog did an open-air sniff outside of the vehicle," said Sgt. Turnbull.
"That police service dog indicated the presence of illegal drugs in the vehicle," he added.
RCMP seized 68 kilograms of cocaine and a loaded handgun during a traffic stop on Oct. 23, 2024. (Les Polyak/CTV News Calgary)
The driver of the car was arrested and the vehicle searched uncovering 68 kilograms of cocaine.
"Sixty-eight kilograms is up to $6.8 million of street value," Sgt. Turnbull said, adding, "a loaded handgun was found inside of the vehicle with the drugs."
A 36-year-old man from Edmonton is facing numerous drug and firearm related charges.
Where the drugs originated or where they were headed is still under investigation.
RCMP are praising the detection work done by canine member Cairo.
"He's pretty proud of himself," said Sgt. Turnbull. "These drugs are no longer available to organized crime to bring into our communities."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Taylor Swift hits the stage at Rogers Centre for first night of Eras Tour in Toronto
Taylor Swift takes the stage at the Rogers Centre as 'The Eras Tour' has arrived.
Purolator workers won't handle Canada Post packages if strike occurs, union says
Teamsters Canada says if Canada Post workers go on strike or are locked out, its members at Purolator won't handle any packages postmarked or identified as originating from the carrier.
Trump chooses anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he will nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, putting him in charge of a massive agency that oversees everything from drug, vaccine and food safety to medical research and the social safety net programs Medicare and Medicaid.
Canada urged to cut government-funded research collaborations with China: report
A newly released report is urging Canada to immediately end all government-funded research collaborations with China in a variety of different areas.
Police foil attempted $13,000 cheese theft in North Vancouver
Police in North Vancouver say they prevented the theft of nearly $13,000 worth of cheese from a grocery store earlier this year. Now, they're asking the public for help finding the alleged thief.
Centre Block renovation facing timeline and budget 'pressures'
The multi-billion-dollar renovation of parliament’s Centre Block building continues to be on time and on budget, but construction crews are facing 'pressures' when it comes to the deadline and total costs, according to the department in charge of the project.
Winnipeg driver rescues passengers from burning van
A Winnipeg driver was in the right place at the right time when a paratransit van caught fire Thursday morning.
B.C.'s chief vet tells clinics to set up bird flu protocols amid human exposure risk
British Columbia's chief veterinarian has told clinics that treat wild birds that they must establish protocols to prevent the spread of avian flu, warning of the risk of human exposure to the illness.
Measles cases in New Brunswick continue to climb
The number of measles cases in New Brunswick continue to climb. Officials with New Brunswick’s Department of Health said as of Thursday, the number of confirmed cases since October has reached 43.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Calgary
-
Talk of tax hikes and big borrowing ahead of Calgary budget discussions
Calgary councillors are set to start debating mid-cycle budget adjustments next week that include proposed property tax increases and a pair of borrowing bylaws that equal more than a billion dollars.
-
EMS whistleblowers point to major staffing concerns as thousands of Calgary zone ambulances are left vacant
New EMS data obtained from Alberta Health Services (AHS) outlines a substantial improvement in reducing “red alerts” for the Calgary Zone, in which no ambulances are readily available, but whistleblowers say the data is misleading and thousands of patients are still being left waiting for too long.
-
Calgary company convicted in fatal 2019 workplace incident loses appeal
A Calgary company that appealed its convictions and associated fine for its role in the death of one of its workers has been denied by the court.
Lethbridge
-
Deadline approaching for Lethbridge waste diversion report for businesses and organizations
Lethbridge business owners and organizations are being reminded the deadline for the annual waste diversion report is just around the corner.
-
Alberta launches inspection of the City of Medicine Hat
After months of speculation, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs will move ahead with an inspection of the City of Medicine Hat.
-
Deadly head-on crash near Drumheller under investigation
RCMP say one person was killed in a head-on crash near Drumheller.
Saskatoon
-
'It's unfortunate': Multiple issues led to delays in reporting Saskatoon elections results
Elections Saskatoon experienced a few issues Wednesday night, which translated into significant delays in reporting voting results for the 2024 civic election.
-
Cynthia Block will be Saskatoon's next mayor
Cynthia Block is the 29th mayor of Saskatoon, and the first woman elected to the position in the city's history.
-
Who are Saskatoon's new city councillors?
Saskatoon voters made their mark on Wednesday, casting ballots in the city's civic election and making history by electing the city's first female mayor. The election also brought fresh faces to the city council.
Regina
-
'The best human I’ve ever met': FC Regina honours one of their own in Movember campaign
At their seventh annual Movember soccer match this weekend, FC Regina will be honouring Gio Sosa, who passed away from cancer in 2023.
-
Police seize 31 guns from property, yard site in Lafleche, Sask.
Two people have been charged after Saskatchewan RCMP seized 31 guns from a residence in Lafleche and a rural yard site south of the town.
-
Voter turnout up for Regina's 2024 election with nearly 53,000 casting a ballot
The City of Regina released official election results Thursday afternoon and said nearly 53,000 people cast a ballot in either advance polls or on election day.
Vancouver
-
B.C.'s chief vet tells clinics to set up bird flu protocols amid human exposure risk
British Columbia's chief veterinarian has told clinics that treat wild birds that they must establish protocols to prevent the spread of avian flu, warning of the risk of human exposure to the illness.
-
Suspect who allegedly rammed Ford F150 into unmarked B.C. RCMP vehicle arrested
Authorities have tracked down a suspect who allegedly rammed a Ford F150 into an unmarked RCMP vehicle in Kamloops, B.C., earlier this month.
-
The Grey Cup and other things to do in Vancouver this weekend
Whether you're here for the football, the party or something else entirely, there's lots to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend. Here are some options.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C.'s chief vet tells clinics to set up bird flu protocols amid human exposure risk
British Columbia's chief veterinarian has told clinics that treat wild birds that they must establish protocols to prevent the spread of avian flu, warning of the risk of human exposure to the illness.
-
Cowichan neighborhood seeking help to get cat out of tree
An orange tabby feline has been stuck in a tree for at least three days now in Maple Bay, and neighbors are looking for outside help to get it down.
-
Police issue warning after spiked drink reported at nightclub in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo say they're investigating an incident at a local nightclub and are issuing "a generic warning to the public" about drinks being spiked.
Toronto
-
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Taylor Swift hits the stage at Rogers Centre for first night of Eras Tour in Toronto
Taylor Swift takes the stage at the Rogers Centre as 'The Eras Tour' has arrived.
-
City of Toronto clears encampments near Rogers Centre ahead of sold-out Taylor Swift shows
Five unhoused people who were staying in tents near the Rogers Centre have been given spaces in a Toronto shelters ahead of six sold-out Taylor Swift concerts that are expected to result in a significant influx of visitors to the downtown core.
-
Police searching for man wanted in connection to 4 sexual assaults in Toronto
Police are trying to identify a man who is wanted in connection with four recent sexual assaults in northeast Toronto.
Montreal
-
One voice, two solitudes: Calls for cultural crossover one year after Karl Tremblay's death
It’s been one year since Karl Tremblay, the lead singer of Les Cowboys Fringants, died of prostate cancer at the age of 47.
-
Dawson College students vote in favour of one-day strike in solidarity with Gaza
Students at Dawson College voted in favour of a one-day strike in support of Gaza.
-
Not just a new shirt: how a Montreal trans woman embraced her femininity through clothes
After struggling with her identity after coming out as a trans woman, Jeanette Scott turned to a personal stylist so that she could be more comfortable in her femininity.
Atlantic
-
Halifax Water asks customers served by Lake Major to conserve water
Halifax Water is asking residents and businesses supplied by the Lake Major Water Supply Plant to begin following voluntary water conservation measures.
-
New Brunswick's premier sends out minister mandate letters, outlines expectations
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt has given marching orders to her new cabinet ministers to fulfil promises made during last month's election.
-
Advocates push to get light rail on track as Nova Scotia election issue
The 2021 Nova Scotia election was dominated by health care, but this time, no single issue has captured attention quite the same way.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg driver rescues passengers from burning van
A Winnipeg driver was in the right place at the right time when a paratransit van caught fire Thursday morning.
-
'No excuse for this': Winnipeg apartment building without mail for a year
Going to the mailbox to check for letters and packages is a daily ritual for many of us, but not for people living at a Manitoba Housing complex in Winnipeg. They're cut off from their mail.
-
Bruce Springsteen shoutout helps Harvest Manitoba collect record donations at concert
A Manitoba organization got an on-stage shoutout from The Boss Wednesday night.
Ottawa
-
Former Ottawa firefighter auctioning pair of Taylor Swift tickets for good cause
Like many of us, former Ottawa firefighter Derek Bowker had not luck scoring tickets to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Toronto. But that changed for Bowker after entering an online raffle last week.
-
17 people arrested following 18-month 'Project Champion' investigation into drug trafficking in Ottawa area
Seventeen people are facing charges following an 18-month investigation into the illegal drug trade operating in the Ottawa area.
-
uOttawa full-time professors, librarians vote in favour of strike mandate
The union representing full-time professors and librarians at the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) says its members have voted 80.9 per cent in Favour of strike mandate.
Northern Ontario
-
New Pentagon report on UFOs includes hundreds of new incidents but no evidence of aliens
The Pentagon's latest report on UFOs has revealed hundreds of new reports of unidentified and unexplained aerial phenomena but no indications suggesting an extraterrestrial origin.
-
Fire destroys shelter for women, families in First Nation near the Sault
A fire has closed a shelter for women and families fleeing abuse in Batchewana First Nation, just outside of Sault Ste. Marie.
-
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Taylor Swift hits the stage at Rogers Centre for first night of Eras Tour in Toronto
Taylor Swift takes the stage at the Rogers Centre as 'The Eras Tour' has arrived.
Barrie
-
Man sentenced after pleading guilty to stabbing Barrie police officer
Nick Vassilodimitrakis appeared in a Barrie courtroom Thursday morning representing himself by video from a detention centre in London, Ont. where he pleaded guilty to stabbing veteran Barrie police officer Jim Peters.
-
Midland man facing numerous charges after incident near high school
Provincial police charged a 44-year-old man from Midland following an incident on Wednesday that resulted in a hold and secure measure at a nearby high school and a road closure.
-
Ont. mother victim of porch pirates as holiday season nears
While it may not be December just yet, package deliveries left on porches are once again the target for thieves or so-called 'porch pirates.'
Kitchener
-
'The Vac Man': Cambridge, Ont. man with autism can fix just about every vacuum
Most people run away from messes, but one Cambridge, Ont. man runs toward them.
-
Clearing encampments in Cambridge and Guelph
Some people living rough in Cambridge and Guelph have been forced to find a new place to sleep after two encampments were dismantled this week.
-
Goodbye CKCO: Crews complete teardown of CTV Kitchener's former home
The long-time home of CTV News Kitchener is now nothing more than a memory.
London
-
Tenants evicted by bailiff and police at infamous Webster St. apartments
It is the final stage in a long fight - Tyler Jollymore and his mother Michele are among dozens of tenants who received N12 and N13 eviction notices almost two years ago.
-
Exclusive: Sneak peek inside the $50 million renovation of Gateway Casinos London
More than a year into the extensive renovation of Gateway Casinos London the project is approaching a major milestone.
-
Man loses his hunting license after narrowly missing a municipal employee with an errant shot
A Huron County man has lost his hunting license after nearly hitting a municipal employee with an errant shot this past summer.
Windsor
-
'Everybody is like family': Home Depot's oldest Canadian employee celebrates 100th birthday
A once in a lifetime celebration for Windsor Ont.'s newest member of the Centenarian Club took place on Thursday.
-
Students walk out at Riverside Secondary to protest public school board’s elimination of IB program
Around 200 students walked out of class at Riverside Secondary School to protest a recent decision by Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) trustees to cut a specialized diploma program offering an enriched learning stream.
-
New fundraiser launched by LaSalle firefighters to benefit locals in need
For the holiday season, the LaSalle Firefighters Association has launched a new charity initiative.
