ALERT makes a co-ordinated ‘million dollar bust’ in Calgary and Medicine Hat

From the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team

ALERT Seizes Drugs, Firearms in Calgary Raid

More than half a million dollars’ worth of drugs and cash was seized as the result of a coordinated investigation involving ALERT organized crime teams in Calgary and Medicine Hat.

ALERT seized methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and other substances, alongside four firearms, after two Calgary homes were searched on January 23, 2020. One person was arrested, who ALERT alleges was involved in drug trafficking in the Calgary area.

“We believe this individual may have also been involved in supplying drugs to surrounding communities,” said Insp. Shawn Wallace, ALERT Calgary. “This is a great example of how our ALERT teams share intelligence and provide coverage across the entire province to stamp out complex organized crime threats.”

Calgary Police Service helped with the search warrant executions at residences in the neighbourhoods of Panorama Hills and Queensland.

The drugs that were seized included:

2,340 grams of methamphetamine;
903 grams of fentanyl;
212 grams of cocaine;
912 grams of a cocaine buffing agent;
6,103 grams of cannabis;
304 cartons of contraband tobacco cigarettes; and
$90,425 cash.

Four firearms were also seized, including two shotguns and two pistols. The firearms will be subject to further forensic analysis.

To Sang Wong, a 56-year-old man from Calgary, has been charged with a number of criminal offences, including:

drug trafficking (x4);
possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking (x3);
possession of illegal tobacco for sale;
fraud;
possession of proceeds of crime;
unsafe storage of a firearm;
unauthorized possession of a firearm; and
possession of a weapon obtained by crime.

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.

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Alberta nurses reject government’s call to delay bargaining for new deal

Published on November 23, 2020

The Canadian Press

EDMONTON — Alberta’s nurses union says the province’s health delivery agency has rejected a call for a settlement similar to one reached with nurses in Saskatchewan that would have provided stability during the COVID-19 pandemic.

United Nurses of Alberta says in a news release it called on Alberta Health Services to quickly negotiate a contract “in order to achieve labour peace, stabilize the Alberta workforce, and focus on responding to the pandemic.”

But the union says AHS negotiators wanted to delay bargaining, a demand it says it rejected because the agency refused to halt the elimination nursing positions through attrition during COVID-19 and wouldn’t promise to end rollbacks when negotiations resume.

Finance Minister Travis Toews said in a news release Monday that the union was seeking a seven per cent pay increase, and that both sides had been negotiating a delay in bargaining until March 31 due to the increasing demands of COVID-19.

The Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations said earlier Monday that it had reached agreements with its nurses, although details weren’t being released until the deals are ratified by both sides.

Toews says that Alberta’s nurses are compensated approximately 8.1 per cent more than their western Canadian peers.

“I am disappointed that a deal could not be reached — delaying bargaining would have provided much needed stability for the health-care system as we continue to focus on the pandemic and keeping Albertans safe,” the minister said in the government’s release.

UNA president Heather Smith said in the union’s news release that the negotiations team couldn’t agree to pause negotiations until March 31, and that the next scheduled bargaining dates are Dec. 14 and 15.

“Clearly AHS and this government are more intent on pursing their agenda of rollbacks and reducing the workforce, even during a pandemic, than assuring a stable workforce to respond to the needs of Albertans,” she said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2020.

The Canadian Press