From Ponoka RCMP:

On December 4, the RCMP took a male into custody following a complaint of a possible impaired driver stuck in the ditch.  The male is facing a substantial amount of charges as a result of the investigation into this incident.

Just before 5:00 a.m., Ponoka RCMP were advised of a 911 call about a possible impaired driver who was walking away from his pickup truck which was stuck near Gee Road, just off Highway 2.  

The responding officer located the truck and determined it was stolen and abandoned.

Ponoka RCMP officers contained the area and Police Dog Services was deployed.  The male was successfully tracked through a wooded area where he was located and arrested without incident.

A search of the stolen truck revealed a number of controlled substances including what is believed to be methamphetamine and fentanyl. As well, stolen cheques, credit cards and passports were recovered, along with ammunition and knives.

27-year-old Travis Ricky Ball is facing 25 charges as follows:

  • Possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking over $5,000 
  • Possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking under $5,000 (x10)
  • Resist peace officer
  • Theft/forgery/misuse of credit card (x6)
  • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
  • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
  • Weapons possession contrary to an order (x2)
  • Fail to comply with a probation order

And two charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act:

  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Schedule 1: Methamphetamine
  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Schedule 1: Other

A judicial interim release hearing has been held and Ball is remanded in custody. He is scheduled to appear in court in Ponoka on December 21, 2018.