Cocaine and Firearms Seized Following Joint Investigation in Grande Prairie

Lindsey Lubkey

Published

5 years ago

3 minute read

More than half a kilogram of cocaine was seized along with two firearms following a joint investigation between ALERT, Fairview RCMP, Peace River RCMP and Grande Prairie RCMP.

ALERT’s Grande Prairie organized crime and gang team made the seizure on January 5, 2018, during a traffic stop and the search of a home in Fairview, Alta.; three people were arrested in total. RCMP detachments from Fairview, Peace River, and Grande Prairie were all involved in the investigation, which dates back to September 2017.

“RCMP detachments and ALERT will continue to collaborate on investigations in efforts to reduce crime in our communities,” says RCMP Cpl. Chris Warren. “A dynamic, provincially coordinated crime reduction program, supported by intelligence shared with our law enforcement and government partners, will reduce calls for service and decrease crime in our communities.”

One of the accused, Khristopher Ali, was previously arrested by ALERT in September 2017 in what was believed to be one of Grande Prairie’s largest drug seizures. ALERT alleges that the 29-year-old man resumed his drug trafficking activities once released on bail.

On January 5, Ali was arrested during a traffic stop and found to be in possession of 370 grams of cocaine. His latest charges include drug trafficking (x 3), possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime, and breach of recognizance (x 2).

Two of Ali’s associates were also arrested in the most recent drug bust. Riley Salmond, 24, and Rebecca Zwick, 22, face a total of 27 charges relating to drugs, stolen property and firearms. A search warrant was executed at the pair’s Fairview home with various drugs, firearms and stolen property seized.

The total value of the drugs seized is more than $68,000 and includes:

590 grams of cocaine;
58 grams of methamphetamine;
261 grams of dried marijuana;
75 grams of marijuana edibles;
12 grams of psilocybin mushrooms;
88 unknown pills;
two firearms;
various replica firearms and weapons; and
$2,480 cash proceeds of crime.

Ali was scheduled to appear in court on January 10. Salmond and Zwick were both released on bail.

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. Members of Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.

Related Topics:ALERT Crime drugs Firearms Grande Prairie seizure

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Alberta

Police investigating how shooter got firearm after autopsy and balistic analysis

Published on March 23, 2023

Todayville

News release from the Edmonton Police Service

Autopsy on shooter, ballistic analysis complete in line of duty deaths

An autopsy on the shooter and ballistic analysis of the firearm have been completed in the Mar. 16, 2023 EPS line of duty deaths.

The Edmonton Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy on Mar. 22, 2023, and confirmed that the 16-year-old male shooter’s cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the head consistent with being self-inflicted.

“We recognize that there is intense public interest in this investigation,” says EPS Deputy Chief Devin Laforce. “At this time, our priorities need to be the integrity of ongoing investigations, including the origin of the firearm, as well as the safety and privacy of all the families affected by this tragedy. For these reasons, we are not releasing or confirming the name of the deceased.”

A bullet casing recovered from the scene of a Mar. 12, 2023 shooting at a nearby restaurant in the area of 133 Street and 114 Avenue has been forensically matched to the firearm that was recovered at the 132 Street and 114 Avenue apartment, where Constable Brett Ryan and Constable Travis Jordan were fatally shot on Mar. 16, 2023.

Investigators believe the suspect in the Mar. 12 shooting to be the same 16-year-old male responsible for the deaths of the two EPS members, although this has yet to be confirmed. Detectives are also working to trace the origins of the firearm and how it came to be in the youth’s possession.

At this time, investigators continue to believe that the youth’s parents, police dispatch and Constables Ryan and Jordan had no information to suggest there was a firearm in the home when the family dispute call for service was made on Mar. 16.

“Both events have been served by robust investigations that have followed all lines of inquiry,” says Deputy Chief Devin Laforce. “All tips and other investigative avenues were pursued exhaustively by the investigating teams.”

The male shot on Mar. 12 in the restaurant remains in hospital in critical but stable condition, and the youth’s mother who was shot on Mar. 16 remains in hospital in serious but stable condition.

#ALERT #LawEnforcementResponseTeam

Search of four Edmonton homes results in Cocaine and Meth bust

Published on March 23, 2023

Todayville

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

Cocaine seized after four Edmonton homes searched

More than two kilograms of cocaine, cash, and four vehicles have been seized following an ALERT Edmonton investigation into cocaine trafficking.

The investigation began in October 2022. Police were able to identify four homes and four vehicles linked to the drug trafficking operation.

“Through the course of this five-month investigation, officers were able to identify several suspects, and seized several pieces of equipment which were being used to produce large, commercial-sized quantities of product. This tells us that this was a much bigger, sophisticated operation,” said Sgt. Jeff Woodliffe, ALERT Edmonton.

On February 23, 2023, police searched four homes and seized the following items as evidence:

2.6 kgs of cocaine;
28 grams of methamphetamine;
10 kgs of a cocaine buffing agent; and
$11,000 in cash.

The investigation remains ongoing as investigators prepare reports and disclosure for Crown Counsel.

The Edmonton Police Service assisted throughout the investigation.

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.