Calgary
Search of Calgary homes results in $700,000 drug bust
Two men have been arrested after ALERT searched two homes and two vehicles in Calgary and seized more than $700,000 worth of drugs and cash.
ALERT’s Calgary organized crime and gang team made the seizure on July 26, 2018, after searching homes in the neighbourhoods of Copperfield and Douglasdale.
Both homes were allegedly being used to package and press cocaine for street-level drug sales.
ALERT alleges the two men arrested were involved in cocaine distribution and supplying drug markets in Calgary and surrounding communities.
Calgary Police Service provided assistance on the case.
Colton Darby and Ricardo Martinez were arrested without incident. Both men are 21 years old and together they face a total of 23 drug and firearms-related offences.
The value of the drugs and cash seized exceeds $700,000:
- 4.5 kilograms of cocaine;
- 549 grams of heroin;
- 360 grams of cannabis;
- a 2013 BMW sedan; and
- $30,085 cash proceeds of crime.
Investigators also seized a Glock handgun, various rounds of ammunition, two prohibited magazines, and body armour. The handgun is believed to have been smuggled from the United States by unknown suspects.
Darby is charged with:
- Production of a controlled substance (x 2);
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 3);
- Possession of property obtained by crime;
- Unlawful possession of a firearm;
- Possession of a firearm obtained by crime;
- Possession of a prohibited device (x 2);
- Possession of a firearm without a license;
- Possession of a weapon contrary to order; and
- Breach of probation.
Martinez is charged with:
- Production of a controlled substance;
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 2);
- Possession of property obtained by crime;
- Unlawful possession of a firearm;
- Possession of a firearm obtained by crime;
- Possession of a prohibited device (x 2);
- Possession of a firearm without a license;
- Possession of body armour.
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.
Calgary police say a father and his son have been arrested and charged after multiple teenage girls were sexually exploited, assaulted and extorted for several months. A Calgary Police Service officer is seen in Calgary on April 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Calgary
Calgary police say a father and his son have been arrested and charged after multiple teenage girls were sexually exploited, assaulted and extorted for several months.
Police say in a statement that they found a 13-year-old girl in April who had previously been reported missing.
They say the girl told police she was in a relationship with a 24-year-old man who gave her alcohol, drugs and vapes in exchange for sex.
Police say the man and his 56-year-old father own Haddon Convenience Store, which is located next door to a liquor store where the assaults allegedly took place.
Police allege the pair was providing drugs and alcohol to multiple other teenage girls, who were also sexually assaulted, from December to May.
They say the girls were unable to consent, because they were not 16.
Police arrested both men Thursday and executed search warrants at a home and the two businesses, where they say officers seized a computer with child pornography.
Sumrit Walia, 24, faces about 20 charges — including sexual interference with a minor, sexual exploitation as well as possessing, accessing and creating child pornography.
His 56-year-old father, Gurpartap Singh Walia, is also charged with sexual assault, sexual interference with a minor and selling contraband tobacco.
“These are incredibly serious charges, where vulnerable youths were being targeted, exploited and forced to enter a dangerous lifestyle,” said Staff Sgt. Darren Smith of the child abuse unit.
“Thankfully, with the support of Alberta Health Services, Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis Commission, and the City of Calgary, we have been able to stop the continued exploitation of these young girls.”
The girls, he said, are being supported by Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. It provides support for children, youth and families who have been affected by severe and complex abuse.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2023.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek speaks at an announcement in Calgary on April 25, 2023. The mayors of Alberta’s two largest cities say they expect a good relationship with a re-elected United Conservative Party government, despite its loss of seats in Calgary and Edmonton. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Calgary
The mayors of Alberta’s two largest cities say they expect a good relationship with a re-elected United Conservative Party government, despite its loss of seats in Calgary and Edmonton.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek adds that all politicians need to stand up against hate and divisiveness.
Gondek and Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi say the cities and the province need to work together to address affordability.
Sohi adds that it’s unfortunate Edmonton won’t have any representation in the provincial government.
Danielle Smith’s UCP dominated outside the two big cities while retaining enough support in Calgary to lessen the pain of an NDP sweep in Edmonton and win a second consecutive majority government.
Several of Smith’s cabinet ministers were unseated, including former health minister Jason Copping and former mental health and addiction minister Nicholas Milliken in Calgary, as well as deputy premier Kaycee Madu in Edmonton.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2023.
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