In mid 2024, the Cold Lake General Investigations Section (GIS) began an investigation into drug trafficking in the city of Cold Lake. With the assistance of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) in both Edmonton and Lloydminster, investigators eventually became aware of a network of illegal drug flow through much of the Lakeland area spanning from Cold Lake to St. Paul. Cold Lake GIS engaged in an extensive investigation into this network which led to two search warrants being executed.
On Jan. 22, 2025, with the assistance of the RCMP Eastern Alberta District’s Crime Reduction Unit and General Investigations Section, Police Dog Services, and members of the St. Paul, Elk Point, and Lac la Biche RCMP Detachments, Cold Lake GIS executed a search warrant on a residence within the Town of St. Paul and another within the County of St. Paul. Three people were arrested and taken into custody as a result of these search warrants.
During the searches police located approximately 620 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 464 grams of suspected cocaine, large quantities of prescription pills, over 1,000 grams of illegal cannabis, over $10,000.00 in Canadian currency, four firearms, body armour, and other items that are consistent in the drug trafficking trade. Police also located several items of stolen property including two snowmobiles and a trailer.
Ignatius Rumbolt (73) a resident of St. Paul, AB has been charged with the following offences and was denied bail during a Judicial Interim hearing. Rumbolt’s next court appearance will be January 30, 2025 in the St. Paul Alberta Court of Justice:
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a controlled Substance
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000.00
- Possession of a restricted firearm with ammo while not being the holder of a license
- Tampering with the serial number of a firearm
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
Rumbolt was also subject to a Conditional Sentence Order in relation to previous charges which it is alleged he was in breach of.
Thomas Hinch (40) a resident of Stettler, AB and Shyanna Mills (21) a resident of Drumheller, AB have been charged with the following offences. Hinch was released by a Justice of the Peace with conditions to appear in the St. Paul Alberta Court of Justice on February 6, 2025. Mills was denied bail and remain in custody until her next court appearance on January 30, 2025 at the St. Paul Alberta Court of Justice.
- Trafficking in a controlled substance
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking in a controlled substance
- Unauthorized possession of a Firearm
- Careless Storage of a Firearm
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
“Cooperation between police agencies, units, and detachments was essential in the successful conclusion of this investigation. Drug trafficking networks have no borders and require a collaborative effort to disrupt and dismantle. It is believed that these drug seizures will have a significant effect on the Town of St. Paul and the entire Lakeland area” – Cpl. Ben Burgess – Cold Lake GIS
The Cold Lake RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the location of, or sightings of any suspicious criminal activity in the area; anyone with helpful information is asked to please contact the Cold Lake RCMP at 780-594-3301 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8377 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
-Submitted by Cold Lake RCMP
Comments