Red Deer RCMP, along with other central Alberta police agencies, have seized drugs, guns and cash worth nearly $300,000 on the street.
Red Deer RCMP began their investigation, which discovered drug trafficking ties in surrounding communities, in March.
Red Deer RCMP have arrested four people – two in central Alberta and two in Calgary – who are facing 17 charges.
The four people who are charged are known to police, said Red Deer RCMP Sgt. Robert Schultz, who called the bust a significant one.
“This is our focus – these types of crimes. So the significance, it’s going to be right near the top in what we normally do,” he said Thursday.
The cash alone in the bust is about $66,000, he noted.
Schultz noted this type of crime is hitting central Alberta areas such as Didsbury, Airdrie and Rocky Mountain House, among others.
Police seized about 300 grams of cocaine, 10 fentanyl pills and more than $17,000 in cash in Red Deer.
Calgary was the site of the largest haul of drugs, including 825 fentanyl pills, 75 OxyContin tablets, about 1.5 kilograms of cannabis, 600 grams of cocaine, 19 grams of fentanyl powder, 521 grams of methamphetamine, 254 grams of ecstasy, a rifle, a shotgun and more than $48,000 in cash.
About $4,000 was seized in Rocky Mountain House.
Another $4,000 was seized in Carstairs, as well as 104 grams of cannabis, 26 grams of fentanyl, 32 grams of methamphetamine, crack, heroin, a rifle and a shotgun.
Calgary’s Robert Leslie Amency, 45, is charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling without a license, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon.
He remains in custody and will appear in Red Deer provincial court July 4.
Michelle Florence Geeregat of Sylvan Lake has been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of stolen property under $5,000.
The 32-year-old was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in Red Deer court June 27.
Andy Lau, 21, of Calgary, was released from custody and will appear in Red Deer court June 27.
He has been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and trafficking of a controlled substance.
David Arthur Callan, 61, of Rocky Mountain House, is facing two charges: trafficking of a controlled substance and possession of stolen property under $5,000.
He appeared in Rocky Mountain House provincial court Wednesday.
Schultz said the beauty of such investigations is they carry a heavy penalty.
Mayor Tara Veer commended the collaborative efforts of the various police agencies, especially the Red Deer RCMP. She said crime remains No. 1 priority for council and for the City of Red Deer.
“Certainly other communities in Canada and Alberta, we continue to be challenged by a national drug crisis, and Red Deer is certainly not alone in these significant problems,” she added.
The seizure shows the RCMP are making significant progress when it comes to crime, she said.
mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
