Arsenal of Weapons Seized from Edmonton Brothers

Edmonton… A total of eight firearms – including assault rifles, suppressors, and over-capacity magazines – were seized as the result of an ALERT investigation in Edmonton and Fort McMurray.

ALERT’s Edmonton organized crime and gang team seized the high-powered firearms following an investigation that primarily focused on two brothers. Alexander and Ryan Kurkut, both 27 years old, were arrested on May 18, 2018, and charged with numerous firearms offences.

ALERT’s investigation into the brothers’ involvement in organized crime resulted in the seizure of the following items from their home in southwest Edmonton and a storage facility:

• a Remington .223-calibre rifle;
• a Norinco Type 97 5.56-calibre rifle with its serial number removed;
• a Norinco M14 .308-calibre rifle;
• a Springfield XDM 9mm handgun with its serial number removed and a threaded barrel;
• a suppressor;
• two-over capacity magazines;
• 64 rounds of ammunition; and
• fraudulent identity documents.

Both brothers have lifetime firearms prohibitions as the result of previous criminal convictions.

Meanwhile, an associate of the brothers, Nicolas Moores, was also implicated in the investigation for similar offences. The 26-year-old was arrested in Fort McMurray and, at the time of his arrest, he had a loaded handgun tucked into his waistband. Additional firearms were seized from his southwest Edmonton home.

The following items were seized in Edmonton:

• a loaded 9mm handgun;
• a loaded .22-calibre handgun that was previously reported stolen;
• a handgun;
• a loaded .223-calibre SKS rifle with an over-capacity magazine;
• a bulletproof vest with ballistic plates; and
• drug trafficking paraphernalia.

ALERT’s investigation began in fall 2017 after information was received about the accused’s involvement in organized crime and possession of illegal firearms. A number of partner agencies provided assistance including Edmonton Police Service, RCMP, ALERT Fort McMurray, Wood Buffalo RCMP, Service Alberta, Vancouver Police, and Crime Stoppers.

The Kurkut brothers have been jointly charged with 38 offences. Their charges include a number of firearms offences, as well as possession of forged identity documents. They have been released from custody and are expected back in court on June 13, 2018.

Moores faces 23 charges related to firearms.

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.

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. Members of Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.

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Notice to Media: Photos of the firearms and goods seized are available for download: Photo 1 | Photo 2 | Photo 3

#Repost @edmontonsun with @get_repost ・・・ FIRE POWER: Twin brothers with ‘extensive criminal histories’ charged in weapons bust #FrontPage #news #newspaper #edmonton #alberta #edmontonsun

A post shared by ALERT Alberta (@alertalberta) on May 31, 2018 at 7:38am PDT