By Andrew de Souza

Show cause hearing set for suspected drug dealer

Jan 19, 2011 | 10:59 AM

An Alberta man accused of dealing drugs in Prince Albert remains in custody after a brief court appearance Tuesday.

The man was arrested after a month-long investigation by the Prince Albert Integrated Street Enforcement team (ISET), comprising of officers from both the Prince Albert Police Service and the Prince Albert RCMP with the assistance of the Prince Albert Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.

According to documents filed by police, packaged cocaine was found in a Prince Albert hotel room and reported to police in mid-December. They had the name of the occupant but the person was already gone.

Over the course of a month, documents show police were speaking several undercover sources and began investigating a man they believed was dealing drugs, but operating under an alias.

Documents show police began following the man they had learned about. In the documents, police said they witnessed him speak with known drug dealers and drug users as well as receiving information from informants about his actions.

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

7h ago

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

13h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

Dec 13, 2024

Police observed the man’s vehicle and after checking the license plates found registered owner was the same name of the name who had rented the hotel room in December where the packaged drugs were found.

On Jan. 14, the man was followed by officers who said they saw him make several stops around the city and pick up several people including a known drug user, who was in the vehicle for less than one minute.

Soon afterwards, the man was pulled over by a patrol vehicle and charged with trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking and being in possession of the proceeds of crime.

During that arrest and subsequent seizure, police found $45 and a cell phone, which they said rang frequently after seizing it.

Using information they have gathered over the course of their investigation, police applied for a search warrant for the address police believed he resided in.

Police were granted a warrant and entered an apartment building in city’s east end during the evening hours.

Documents show the subsequent search found 8.5 grams of marijuana, 22.2 grams of rock cocaine separated into 74 packages, another 23.4 grams of rock cocaine separated into 13 packages and 48.6 grams of powdered cocaine separated into 27 packages.

Police also seized a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder and about $3,000 in cash.

“I'd consider this a significant seizure for the City of Prince Albert,” said Sgt. Andrew Farquhar with the Prince Albert ISET.

Travis Marshall Stuve, 26, of Spruce Grove, Alberta is charged with trafficking a controlled substance, possession a controlled substance, having in his possession the proceeds of crime.

On Tuesday, he appeared in Prince Albert Provincial Court and a show cause hearing was scheduled for Jan. 26. He remains in custody.

The allegations contained within documents filed by police have not been proven in court.

adesouza@panow.com