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Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team

Stolen handgun seized during Red Deer drug arrests

Published

1 year ago

2 minute read

News release from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT)

ALERT seized a loaded handgun during the arrest of suspected drug dealers in Red Deer. The handgun, which had previously been reported as stolen, was seized alongside cocaine, fentanyl, and other prohibited items.

The seizure took place on April 4, 2024 when ALERT’s Integrated Gang Enforcement Team observed a suspected drug transaction involving two vehicles in a parking lot along Gaetz Avenue. Two vehicles were pulled over and the five occupants were arrested.

One of the suspected drug dealers was found carrying the loaded handgun tucked into his waistband. The handgun was determined to have previously been reported as stolen from the Edmonton area.

“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.

The full search of both vehicles resulted in ALERT seizing the following items:

  • Loaded, stolen handgun;
  • 45 grams of cocaine;
  • 2 grams of fentanyl;
  • 3 fentanyl patches;
  • GPS tracking device;
  • Portable hacking device;
  • Brass knuckles;
  • Gloves and balaclavas; and
  • $5,100 cash.

The handgun will be submitted for further analysis and examination by ALERT’s Provincial Firearms Solutions Lab.

The five suspects arrested face a combined 25 charges related to drug, firearms, and weapons offences:

  • Makenzie Giles, 27-year-old from Red Deer;
  • Martin Heathen, 30-year-old from Onion Lake, Sask.;
  • Jordan McMartin, 22-year-old from Red Deer;
  • Ethan Frenette, 21-year-old from Red Deer; and
  • Madison Halvorson, 23-year-old from Red Deer.

McMartin was also found to be wanted on several warrants in relation to offences in the Red Deer area.

Anyone with information about this investigation, or who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.

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Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team

Alleged Human Traffickers arrested in Red Deer, Montreal, and Edmonton

Published on February 14, 2025

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Human trafficking suspect arrested in Red Deer, July 2024

From Alert, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team

Three human traffickers arrested in Project Endgame

Three men have been arrested and stand accused of running a human trafficking operation that stretched across Canada; operating throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Quebec.

Project Endgame was a year-long investigation led by ALERT’s Human Trafficking unit, and also relied on the assistance of the Edmonton Police Service, RCMP, and the Quebec joint forces Anti-Pimping team known as EILP.

Arrests and search warrants had taken place in Edmonton, Montreal, and Red Deer. A total of 23 charges related to human trafficking offences have been laid against Clyde Elien-Abbot, 31, Kevin Dorcelus-Cetoute, 31, and Jean Rodnil Dubois, 31. Elien-Abbot was arrested on January 31, 2025 in Edmonton, while the other two accused were arrested on July 23, 2024.

“Project Endgame exhausted all resources and avenues to bring charges against the suspects and end this cycle of sexualized violence and degradation,” said Staff Sergeant Chris Hayes, ALERT.

A number of human trafficking victims were located and provided resources and assistance through ALERT’s Safety Network Coordinators. ALERT believes there are additional victims and encouraging them to contact police.

Project Endgame revealed a cross-Canada network of sex trafficking that has been in operation for over a decade by the accused and possibly others. ALERT’s investigation saw the perpetrators work in the communities of Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Lloydminster, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Cold Lake, and Estevan, Sask.

The perpetrators allegedly controlled the victims through coercion by forcing them to perform multiple sex acts on multiple clients every day. If the victims question the traffickers or dispute the situation, they were often violently assaulted, degraded, and/or threatened of further loss, violence, and isolation.

Project Endgame began in May 2023 following a 911 call placed to police detailing a sex worker being violently assaulted. The investigation has connections to a 2021 ALERT human trafficking investigation in which Dorcelus-Cetoute was charged.

Clyde Elien-Abbot, 31-year-old from Montreal, is charged with:

  • Trafficking in persons;
  • Procuring;
  • Material benefit from sexual services;
  • Advertising sexual services;
  • Money laundering; and
  • Animal cruelty.
Kevin Dorcelus-Cetoute, 31-year-old from Montreal, is charged with:

  • Sexual assault;
  • Assault;
  • Trafficking in persons;
  • Procuring;
  • Material benefit from sexual services; and
  • Uttering threats.
Jean Rodnil Dubois, 31-year-old from Montreal, is charged with:

  • Sexual assault;
  • Assault;
  • Trafficking in persons;
  • Procuring;
  • Material benefit from sexual services; and
  • Uttering threats.
Elien-Abbot remains in custody and has a bail hearing scheduled for February 19, 2025. Dorcelus-Cetoute and Dubois were both released from custody and are scheduled to appear in court on March 7, 2025.

Project Endgame involved the assistance of a number of agencies from across the country, including: Edmonton Police Service, City of Edmonton Animal Bylaw, Service de Police de a Ville de Montreal (SPVM), RCMP ‘C’ Division, RCMP ‘K’ Division, and RCMP ‘D’ Division.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.
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Alberta

Hells Angels member arrested with handgun in Red Deer

Published on November 27, 2024

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 A member of the Hells Angels Alberta Nomads chapter is facing charges after being found in possession of a handgun.

Owen Czech was arrested by ALERT’s Integrated Gang Enforcement Team on November 13, 2024 in Red Deer. The 55-year-old outlaw biker was found in possession of a Glock handgun, along with multiple magazines.

“Despite their best efforts to portray themselves as nothing more than motorcycle enthusiasts, the Hells Angels routinely find themselves involved in criminal activity and are a threatening presence in our communities,” said Insp. Angela Kemp, ALERT.

ALERT interrupted Czech and two other members of the Syndicate Motorcycle Club, a support club to the Hells Angels, as they were allegedly committing an assault. Czech allegedly attempted to conceal the firearm in a vehicle when stopped by police.

Czech is a self-identified member of the Hells Angels and was bound by conditions not to possess firearms.

Czech has been charged with:

  • Assault;
  • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose;
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm;
  • Careless use of a firearm;
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle;
  • Possession of a prohibited firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized;
  • Carrying a concealed weapon; and
  • Failing to comply with a release order.
Czech remains in custody and is scheduled to speak to bail on November 27, 2024.

ALERT’s Integrated Gang Enforcement Team is a uniform team focused on violence suppression and combatting gang activity throughout the province.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.
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