Red Deer RCMP seize 29 firearms in search warrants

Red Deer, Alberta – A man and a woman face a total of almost 200 criminal charges after Red Deer RCMP executed search warrants on a storage locker in north Red Deer on November 5 and a residence on November 22, seizing 29 firearms, four crossbows, ammunition and stolen property including dirt bikes, identity documents and electronics; the searches are part of a larger crime reduction strategy that focuses on identifying prolific offenders and conducting targeted, intelligence-led investigations.

Shortly before 6 pm on November 5, RCMP officers from the Red Deer Community Response Unit (CRU) executed a search warrant on a storage locker located at 4904 79 Street in Red Deer. Police officers seized 25 rifles, three shotguns, four crossbows and two pellet guns. Police also seized tools, bicycles, dirt bikes, chainsaws, a generator and electronics equipment. The firearms were stored in a large hockey bag, a sleeping bag, a ski bag and gun cases. At this point, Red Deer RCMP have determined that eight of the firearms were reported stolen, one of the dirt bikes was reported stolen out of Red Deer on October 28 in a break and enter, and the other dirt bike was reported stolen out of Lacombe area during a break and enter on November 1; RCMP continue to investigate regarding the other pieces of recovered property.

On November 22, RCMP officers from Red Deer GIS conducted a second search warrant at a residence on 58 Avenue in Highland Green and seized a shotgun that was stored under the couch in the living room, a magazine from another firearm, a replica firearm, methamphetamine, large amounts of ammunition and numerous other items including a laptop and an Xbox that had been reported stolen in several recent residential break and enters, and stolen identity documents.

“These seizures, arrests and charges are a significant example of the crime reduction work we do every day in Red Deer, identifying and targeting repeat offenders through criminal analysis, and conducting strategic, targeted enforcement initiatives,” says Superintendent Ken Foster of the Red Deer RCMP. “The great work done by our Red Deer police officers took 29 firearms out of the hands of criminals and broke up an organized network that relies on regular property crime activity for their livelihood.”

25 year old Andrew Scott Charpentier faces a total of 100 charges regarding the November 5 and 22 warrants:

· Criminal Code 91(1) – Unauthorized possession of firearm X 29

· Criminal Code 96(1) – Possession stolen firearm X 28

· Criminal Code 86(1) – Careless use of firearm or ammunition X 28

· Criminal Code 91(2) – Unauthorized possession of weapon

· Criminal Code 108(1)(b) – Possession of firearm with altered serial number

· Criminal Code 56.1 – Illegal possession or trafficking in government documents X 3

· Criminal Code 145(5.1) – Fail to comply with undertaking X 2

· Criminal Code 355(b) – Possession of stolen property under $5,000 X 7

· CDSA 4(1) – Possession of Schedule I substance (crystal meth)

Charpentier was remanded and appeared in court in Red Deer on December 5; he is scheduled to appear again on December 12 at 9:30 am on both files.

25 year old Kelsey Pearl Torpe faces a total of 98 charges regarding the November 5 and 22 warrants:

· Criminal Code 91(1) – Unauthorized possession of firearm X 29

· Criminal Code 96(1) – Possession stolen firearm X 28

· Criminal Code 86(1) – Careless use of a firearm X 28

· Criminal Code 91(2) – Unauthorized possession of weapon

· Criminal Code 108(1)(b) – Possession of firearm with altered serial number

· Criminal Code 56.1 – Illegal possession or trafficking in government documents X 3

· Criminal Code 355(b) – Possession of stolen property under $5,000 X 7

· CDSA 4(1) – Possession of Schedule I substance (crystal meth)

Torpe is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on December 12 at 9:30 am on one of the two search warrant files and on December 19 at 9:30 am on the second.

The Red Deer RCMP crime reduction model is a targeted, evidence-based approach to policing. It uses intelligence-driven analysis to identify repeat offenders, prolific addresses and crime hot spots, and conduct targeted enforcement initiatives with the goal of reducing crime in Red Deer. General duty watches and specialized units work together with Parole and Probation to identify and monitor prolific offenders.

Click on the CRIME tab to read more stories about crime in the area.

Todayville

Todayville is a digital media and technology company. We profile unique stories and events in our community. Register and promote your community event for free.

Follow Author

Misleading polls may produce more damaging federal policies

Automotive / 8 hours ago

U.S. politics looms large over Trudeau/Ford EV gamble

Energy / 9 hours ago

Biden Has Taken More Than 200 Actions Against Domestic Oil, New Report Says

Addictions

British Columbia to re-criminalize hard drug use in public after massive policy failure

Published on May 1, 2024

Todayville

From LifeSiteNews

By Clare Marie Merkowsky

British Columbia premier David Eby announced that his province plans to re-criminalize hard drug use in public spaces after its decriminalization last year led to widespread social disorder.

British Columbia is asking the Trudeau government to roll back its drug decriminalization program after increased violence and continued overdoses.

On April 26, New Democratic Party (NDP) premier of British Columbia David Eby announced that he is working with Prime Minster Justin Trudeau’s federal government to re-criminalize drug use in public spaces, including inside hospitals, on transit, and in parks. British Columbia, under permission from the Trudeau government, had decriminalized such behavior in 2023.

“Keeping people safe is our highest priority,” Eby explained in a press release. “While we are caring and compassionate for those struggling with addiction, we do not accept street disorder that makes communities feel unsafe.”

“We’re taking action to make sure police have the tools they need to ensure safe and comfortable communities for everyone as we expand treatment options so people can stay alive and get better,” he continued.

Under the new regulations, police would be given the power to prevent drug use in all public places, including hospitals, restaurants, transit, parks and beaches.

However, drug use would remain legal at “a private residence or place where someone is legally sheltering, or at overdose prevention sites and drug checking locations.”

Eby’s concerns over drug use were echoed by Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth who said, “Our communities are facing big challenges. People are dying from deadly street drugs, and we see the issues with public use and disorder on our streets.”

“As we continue to go after the gangs and organized criminals who are making and trafficking toxic drugs, we’re taking action now to make it illegal to use drugs in public spaces, and to expand access to treatment to help people who need it most,” he promised.

Under the policy, the federal government began allowing people within the province to possess up to 2.5 grams of hard drugs without criminal penalty, but selling drugs remained a crime.

While British Columbia has not yet indicated it plans to re-criminalize possession, its decision to clamp down on public drug use presents a major departure from its previous tactics of continually liberalizing its attitude toward narcotic use.

Since being implemented, the province’s drug policy has been widely criticized, especially after it was found that the province broke three different drug-related overdose records in the first month the new law was in effect.

The effects of decriminalizing hard drugs in various parts of Canada has been exposed in Aaron Gunn’s recent documentary, Canada is Dying, and in U.K. Telegraph journalist Steven Edginton’s mini-documentary, Canada’s Woke Nightmare: A Warning to the West.  

Gunn says he documents the “general societal chaos and explosion of drug use in every major Canadian city.”  

“Overdose deaths are up 1,000 percent in the last 10 years,” he said in his film, adding that “[e]very day in Vancouver four people are randomly attacked.” 

Alberta

Three Calgary massage parlours linked to human trafficking investigation

Published on April 30, 2024

Todayville

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

ALERT’s Human Trafficking unit has searched and closed three Calgary massage parlours. A year-long investigation has linked the businesses and its owner to suspected human trafficking.

ALERT arrested Hai (Anna) Yan Ye on April 16, 2024 and charged the 48-year-old with advertising sexual services, drug offences and firearms offences. The investigation remains ongoing and further charges are being contemplated.

Ye was linked to three commercial properties and two homes that were allegedly being used for illegal sexual activities and services. The massage parlours were closed following search warrant executions carried out by ALERT, the Calgary Police Service, and the RCMP:

Seagull Massage at 1034 8 Avenue SW;
128 Massage at 1935 37 Street SW; and
The One Massage Centre at 1919 31 Street SE.
1100-block of Hidden Valley Drive; and
3100-block of 12 Avenue SW.

As result of the search warrants, ALERT also seized:

$15,000 in suspected proceeds of crime;
Shotgun with ammunition; and
Various amounts of drugs.

“We believe that these were immigrants being exploited into the sex trade. This has been a common trend that takes advantage of their unfamiliarity and vulnerability,” said Staff Sergeant Gord MacDonald, ALERT Human Trafficking.

Four suspected victims were identified and provided resources by ALERT’s Safety Network Coordinators.

ALERT’s investigation dates back to February 2023 when a tip was received about suspicious activity taking place at the since-closed Moonlight Massage. That location was closed during the investigation, in December 2023, when the landlord identified illegal suites on the premises.

The investigation involved the close cooperation with City of Calgary Emergency Management and Community Safety, Alberta’s Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) team, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the RCMP.

Ye was released from custody on a number of court-imposed conditions.

Anyone with information about this investigation, or any case involving suspected human trafficking offences, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234.

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.