A loaded handgun and drugs were seized during an arrest of alleged drug dealers in Red Deer on April 4.
Police say ALERT’s Integrated Gang Enforcement Team observed a suspected drug transaction involving two vehicles in a parking lot along Gaetz Avenue. The two vehicles were pulled over and the five occupants were arrested.
One of the suspects was carrying the loaded handgun tucked into his waistband. The handgun was previously been reported as stolen from the Edmonton area.
The handgun will be submitted for further analysis and examination by ALERT’s Provincial Firearms Solutions Lab.
A full search of both vehicles resulted in ALERT also seizing 45 grams of cocaine, two grams of fentanyl, three fentanyl patches, GPS tracking device, portable hacking device, brass knuckles, gloves and balaclavas, and $5,100 cash.
“Although gang-related violence may seem specifically targeted to those involved in organized criminality; the negative impact of this victimization is far more reaching and effects all Albertans. The solution lays within the integrated approach of our ALERT teams to suppress, disrupt and dismantle organized crime,” said Insp. Angela Kemp, ALERT Edmonton, in a statement.
The suspects face a combined 25 charges related to drug, firearms, and weapons offences. Suspects include four people from Red Deer, and one from Onion Lake, Sask.
One of the Red Deer suspects was wanted on several warrants in relation to offences in the Red Deer area.
Anyone with information about this investigation, or suspects drug or gang activity in their community, can call their local police or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.
ALERT (Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams) is made up of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.