Red Deer, Alta. – On Jan. 28, 2026, Red Deer RCMP Crime Reduction Team (CRT) arrested a male for drug trafficking following a brief investigation.
CRT members were conducting pro-active patrols when they observed a licence plate on a vehicle that did not match the registration information. Officers spoke with the owner of the licence plate who said the plate was missing from his truck and was stolen.
Police arrested the driver when he exited the vehicle. During the arrest, the male dropped a container which contained multiple baggies of drugs. These drugs were labelled by type and quantity.
Further investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle was the lawful owner of the licence plate, whom police had called earlier. The driver had taken the licence plate from his truck and was using it on a different vehicle he owned, but had told police the plate was stolen.
Richard Tucker (44), a resident of Red Deer, has been charged with the following:
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking x11
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
- Possession of tobacco products not marked for tax-paid sale
- Operate motor vehicle without subsisting certificate of registration
- Drive uninsured motor vehicle on highway
Tucker was brought before a Justice of the Peace and was released on conditions. His next court date is set for Feb. 19, 2026, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.
The Red Deer RCMP would like to remind the public to regularly check your vehicles licence plate. If a licence is missing or stolen, report it to police as soon as possible and obtain a replacement at a registry.
If you have any information regarding crime within Red Deer, please contact Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.
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