A full-patch member of the Hells Angels with ties to Red Deer has been sentenced to eight years in jail.
Terry Eide, 31, was arrested in Calgary, where he lived. However, he was linked to two residences in Red Deer where members of the local Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams executed search warrants.
On Tuesday, in Red Deer provincial court Eide pleaded guilty and was handed the lengthy prison sentence.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a firearm obtained by crime, possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm.
Police said Eide is a full-patch member of the Hells Angels biker gang.
In relation to the bust, Eide was charged with possession of cocaine and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking.
ALERT said in the searches of the Red Deer residences tied to Eide, police found cocaine and a loaded, stolen shotgun.
The arrest was part of a larger investigation called Project Forseti. Police in Saskatoon, Melfort, Star City, Nipawin, Warman, Sask. and Calgary were all involved.
The investigation started in November 2013 and since that time police have seized 5.4 kg of crystal meth, 2.6 kg of cocaine, 3,358 fentanyl, 107 grams of heroin, 145 pounds of marijuana, 456 dilaudid pills, 454 grams of hash, $100,000, seven vehicles, about 200 firearms, tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition, four bulletproof vests and one conducted energy weapon.
To conduct the elaborate and lengthy investigation, numerous law enforcement agencies assisted including Calgary and Vancouver RCMP federal serious and organized crime unites, the Prince Albert Combined Forced Special Enforcement Unit, Red Deer ALERT, Canadian Border Services, National Weapons Enforcement Support Teams, Saskatoon Police Services and the Saskatchewan RCMP.
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com