Crime
Red Deer RCMP seize drugs and guns in major multi-agency bust
Red Deer, Alberta – Red Deer RCMP arrested three people and laid 50 charges following a multi-agency investigation, which led to a series of drug busts and resulted in one of the largest drug seizures in Red Deer history.
Red Deer RCMP began their investigation into a drug trafficking ring in central Alberta in late June, 2018, and that investigation quickly led to ties with drug trafficking activity in Airdrie, Alta., and Calgary. The Red Deer RCMP General Investigation Section unit collaborated with Red Deer ALERT, Airdrie RCMP, Calgary Police Service and Calgary Federal Serious and Organized Crime units to execute a series of coordinated search warrants for one vehicle and four residences in Red Deer, Calgary, Airdrie and Rocky View County on Aug. 8, 2018.
As a result of those five search warrants, the following were seized by police:
- 1.67 kg cocaine
- 1.26 kg fentanyl
- 1.44 kg ketamine
- 2.61 kg methamphetamine
- 3.5 kg cannabis
- 261 g psilocybin (magic mushrooms)
- 22 g heroin
- 6 litres of hydroxybutyric acid (GHB)
- More than 200 other tablets of various controlled substances (fentanyl, oxycodone, diazepam)
- 9 firearms and ammunition
- More than $61,000 in Canadian currency
“This is one the most significant drugs seizures we’ve seen in Red Deer,” said Inspector Dean LaGrange, of the Red Deer RCMP. “It was the direct result of a coordinated effort across several partner agencies, and great team work and determination among our members. It also serves as an important reminder to traffickers that there are consequences to trafficking drugs in this province – our members are skilled investigators trained in detection of drug trafficking and you will be caught.”
As a result of the coordinated efforts of this investigation, three individuals were arrested and 50 charges were laid:
Steve Tuan Minh Do (42) of Calgary is facing 40 charges, including:
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (x20)
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm (x10)
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition (x10)
Steve Tuan Minh Do was released from custody after a judicial hearing and will be appearing in Calgary Provincial Court on April 3, 2019.
Beau Charles Burles (32) of Edmonton has been charged with:
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (x4)
Hayley Van Dellen (32) of Edmonton has been charged with:
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (x4)
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm (x2)
Burles and Van Dellen were both released from custody after a judicial hearing and will appearing in Red Deer Provincial Court on March 7, 2019.
Alberta
Coutts border officers seize 77 KG of cocaine in commercial truck entering Canada – Street value of $7 Million
News release from RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region
Calgary resident charged with attempted drug importation
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at the Coutts port of entry found nearly 77 kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $7 million during a secondary examination of a commercial truck seeking entry into Canada from the United States. The CBSA arrested the driver, a resident of Calgary.
The Integrated Border Enforcement Team in Alberta, a joint force operation between the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region, CBSA and Calgary Police Service, was notified and a criminal investigation was initiated into the individual.
Surj Singh Salaria (28), a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:
- Importation of a controlled substance contrary to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and,
- Attempting to export goods that are prohibited, controlled or regulated contrary to section 160 of the Customs Act.
Salaria is scheduled to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Oct. 27, 2025.
“The CBSA remains vigilant in preventing dangerous drugs from reaching our communities. This significant seizure shows CBSA’s detection capabilities and the important role our officers play to stop drug trafficking. We are committed to securing and protecting the border alongside our law enforcement partners.”
- Janalee Bell-Boychuk, Regional Director General, Prairie Region, Canada Border Services Agency
“Through coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies, a substantial quantity of cocaine was seized before it could reach communities across Alberta. This investigation reinforces the value of a secure border and the vital role that collaboration and intelligence-sharing play in safeguarding the public from the harms of illegal drug trafficking.”
- Supt. Sean Boser, Officer in Charge of Federal Serious and Organized Crime and Border Integrity – Alberta, RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region
“This investigation highlights the strength of our collaborative efforts through the Integrated Border Enforcement Team. By working together with our law enforcement partners, we are able to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs and protect our communities from the violence and harm associated with organized crime.”
- Acting Supt. Jeff Pennoyer, CPS, Criminal Operations & Intelligence Division
IBET’s mandate is to enhance border integrity and security along the shared border, between designated ports of entry, by identifying, investigating and interdicting persons, organizations and goods that are involved in criminal activities.
A months-long RCMP investigation has led to the takedown of a massive synthetic-drug operation resembling the “super labs” often found in British Columbia — but this one was discovered just forty-five minutes north of Toronto. Officers uncovered an industrial-scale facility capable of producing millions of dollars’ worth of fentanyl, methamphetamine, MDMA, and GHB.
The RCMP’s Ontario Federal Policing unit announced Friday that search warrants executed on September 7 in Schomberg, northwest of Toronto, resulted in the seizure of nearly $10 million in suspected controlled substances, along with prohibited weapons, chemical precursors, and a range of illegal production equipment.
In addition to cash, drugs, and chemicals, officers discovered a pill press, firearms, handwritten drug “recipes,” flasks, chemical glassware, and other lab components. Approximately 20,000 litres of hazardous waste were also removed from the site.
Investigators say the probe began in spring 2025, when officers detected a suspicious bulk-chemical order placed by Christopher O’Quinn, operating under the business name O’Quinn Industries. “The chemicals ordered are known to police to be used in the production of fentanyl, MDMA, methamphetamine, and for cannabis extraction,” the RCMP said.
After weeks of surveillance, RCMP officers uncovered what they describe as a large-scale clandestine lab hidden on a Schomberg property. Dismantling the facility required coordination with the Ontario Fire Marshal, Health Canada, and municipal emergency services — a hazardous-materials operation that lasted ten days.
Three suspects — O’Quinn, Liang Xiong Guo, and Katie King — were arrested and face a combined 33 criminal charges.
O’Quinn faces 20 offences, including production and trafficking of Schedule I substances, possession of precursor chemicals, and multiple weapons violations involving a bullpup-style shotgun and a .22-calibre rifle.
Guo faces nine counts linked to the production and trafficking of methamphetamine and MDMA.
King faces four counts related to meth trafficking and illegal firearm possession.
RCMP officials said additional substances are undergoing Health Canada testing to determine whether synthetic opioids such as fentanyl were present.
Authorities also seized $8,000 in cash, multiple firearms, laboratory glassware, and chemicals capable of producing further drug batches valued in the millions.
“The complexity and danger of the operation required extensive inter-agency collaboration,” the RCMP said, thanking partners including the Ontario Provincial Police, Niagara Regional Police, York Regional Police, South Simcoe Police, the Ontario Fire Marshal, Health Canada, the Ministry of the Environment, and the Canada Border Services Agency.
Health Canada testing and court proceedings are ongoing.
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