Posted by : Rita Sittler  On December 12th, 2023 8:37 am

      

Following a series of search warrants in southeast Alberta, ALERT has seized nearly $65,000 worth of drugs and two 3D-printed handguns. Multiple homes in Brooks, Alta. were searched.

On October 4, 2023 ALERT’s Medicine Hat organized crime team searched six homes in Brooks, along with the assistance of Brooks RCMP and the Medicine Hat Police Service. The homes were searched as part of a lengthy drug trafficking and firearms investigation that remains ongoing.

The drugs seized have an estimated street value of $65,000 and included:

• 762 grams of methamphetamine;

• 742 grams of cocaine;

• 159 grams of crack cocaine;

• Illicit prescription pills; and

• $2,000 cash.

Two handguns were also seized that were affixed with 3D-printed receivers, which are illegal in Canada. Further ballistics and firearms testing on the handguns is being completed by the Provincial Firearms Solutions Lab.

3D printed firearms, also known as privately made firearms (PMFs) or ghost guns, are coveted by organized crime because they can be illegally acquired without a firearms license, do not have serials numbers, and are difficult to trace.

According to the Provincial Firearms Solutions Lab, they have received and examined 52 3D-printed firearms in 2023. The Lab handles the majority of firearms examinations in the province and was created in partnership between the Alberta Government, ALERT, and the Edmonton Police Service.

ALERT also seized two vehicles as offence related property and will explore options with the province’s civil forfeiture office.

The investigation dates back to April 2023 when ALERT and Brooks RCMP identified an increase in drug trafficking activity in the region. The investigation utilized to a number of specialized techniques and resources to disrupt the drug market.

Several suspects have been identified, but no one was been formally charged as of yet. The investigation remains ongoing as investigators are preparing reports and disclosure for Crown Counsel.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Mike Tucker
Communications Director
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 780-509-3015