December 19, 2014
Medicine Hat… Eleven firearms have been taken out of the hands of suspected drug dealers following an Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) investigation with Brooks RCMP.
ALERT’s Medicine Hat Organized Crime team, consisting of members of the Medicine Hat Police Service and RCMP, made the firearms seizure on December 13 after executing two search warrants in Brooks, Alta. Two people were arrested and a quantity of drugs was seized.
The seized firearms arsenal consisted of two prohibited handguns, three shotguns, and six high-powered rifles, including a SKS Soviet semi-automatic carbine. ALERT is continuing to investigate the firearms with the assistance of the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST).
Over an ounce of cocaine was seized as result of the search warrants. The cocaine was packaged in 35 bags and ready for street-level sale. Over $8,000 in cash proceeds of crime was seized. ALERT initiated the investigation in November in response to suspected drug trafficking in the region.
Two people were arrested and charged as result of the investigation:
Vikedal and Sammut have been released on bail and are due back in court on January 7. Additional charges are being contemplated.
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. Nearly 400 municipal police, RCMP, and sheriffs work in ALERT.
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The work we do is about our communities, and that’s why we recognize that residents can be instrumental in tackling serious crime. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a crime, or you suspect criminal activity, please reach out. Your information will remain strictly confidential.
Thank you for helping to make Alberta safer by being actively involved and reporting suspicious activity.
