A$AP gang members charged in northern Alberta

Edmonton… Several alleged members of the A$AP street gang have been charged with drug and firearms offences. The arrests came via joint investigations between ALERT, Wabasca RCMP, and RCMP Criminal Intelligence.

ALERT Edmonton’s Integrated Gang Enforcement Team made the arrests following a recent deployment to the Wabasca-Desmarais area to help address gang concerns in the community.

“This operation makes it evident that the amount of effort and co-operation put forth by our local RCMP officers and ALERT has netted outstanding results. Working together, sharing intelligence, and developing enforcement strategies have made our community safer by taking drugs and guns off the street,” said Sgt. Colin Thorne, Wabasca RCMP.

On March 5, 2024, a vehicle stop was conducted and ALERT seized yielded a loaded sawed-off shotgun and quantities of cocaine and fentanyl. Two known A$AP gang members were charged with drug trafficking and firearms offences:

• Dakota Auger, 29 years old from Wabasca;
• Sheldon Auger, 41 years old from Wabasca;

The following day, March 6, 2024, another traffic stop yielded a seizure of approximately 100 grams of cocaine. Two of the vehicle’s occupants are known A$AP gang members and were charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking:

• Trinity Yellowknee, 26 years old of Wabasca;
• Christopher Yellowknee, 26 years old from Wabasca.

The third suspect, Kyle Auger, 34 years old from Wabasca, was also charged with drug offences.

A$AP, which stands for Always Strive and Prosper, is a street gang who are spread across northern and central Alberta, and correctional institutions. Their criminal activities are connected to drug trafficking, home invasions, robberies, stolen property, and are known to rely on violence.

A$AP gang members will often wear grey and white clothing, often stylized with the gang name or slogans to show allegiance to the gang and to intimidate others.

“A$AP isn’t shy about allowing their presence being known in the community, which is used as a tool for recruitment and intimidation. Meanwhile, their community is struggling with addiction issues that are perpetuated by gang activity,” said Insp. Angela Kemp, ALERT Edmonton.

The Bigstone Cree Nation, which encompasses the area, had decaled a local state of emergency in January 2024 due in part to the ongoing addiction and crime issues. Wabasca-Desmarais is located approximately 300 kilometers north of Edmonton.

Anyone with information about this investigation, or 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.