A Lloydminster woman faces several drug-related charges after being arrested by Vermillion RCMP during a wellbeing check in the Minburn County area of Eastern Alberta.

According to an Alberta RCMP news release, on January 17, officers responded to a request for the wellbeing check in a rural area near Township Road 524 and Range Road 82. RCMP members attended to the location, finding and seizing an array of bear spray and drugs. The latter included about three grams of psilocybin, over 27 grams of methamphetamine, over four grams of fentanyl, almost two grams of cocaine and a large quantity of gabapentin. In addition, a very young puppy was located, appearing to be in distress and was transported to receive care. Thirty-five-year-old Francis Meesto of Lloydminster has been charged with two counts of possession of a weapon for dangerous person, possession of controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and endangering an animal. Meesto was released with a court date of March 17th at the Alberta Court of Justice in Vermillion.