On Feb. 27, around 1 a.m., Innisfail RCMP received a report of a possible impaired driver passed out in his vehicle near the Innisfail School.   

Police located the vehicle which was running and in gear. The driver was passed out in the driver seat, and when woke up, took his foot off the brake and immediately crashed into a police vehicle. Police arrested the driver for impaired driving.  

The were no injuries and limited damage. 

During the arrest, RCMP seized approximately 40 grams of methamphetamine, 20 grams of fentanyl and a loaded sawed-off shotgun with a tampered serial number.   

Eric Meldrum, 31, of no fixed address Red Deer has been charged with: 

  

  • Possession of controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (x2); 

  • Careless storage of a firearm; 

  • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; 

  • Carry a concealed weapon; 

  • Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized; 

  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle; 

  • Possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition; 

  • Possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number; and 

  • Fail to comply with a release order. 

  

Meldrum also failed a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evaluation and was issued an IRS Impaired by drug driving sanction. 

A Judicial Interim release hearing was held for Meldrum where he was held in custody pending a bail hearing on next appearance March 7, at the Albert Court of Justice in Red Deer.