High-Powered Guns Seized from Edmonton Drug Dealers

Edmonton… A weapons arsenal that included carbines, converted handguns, silencers, and thousands of rounds of ammunition was seized from a group of suspected drug dealers by Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).

ALERT Edmonton, an integrated team consisting of Edmonton Police Service, Alberta Sheriffs, and RCMP members, seized eight firearms and more than $100,000 worth of drugs in a series of raids on August 14. Two homes in Edmonton’s northeast and one home in the northwest were searched with the assistance of EPS Tactical team members.

Eight firearms were seized, including three semi-automatic rifles, one of which that was modified and equipped with a silencer. A Glock handgun was seized that had been illegally converted to full automatic and had a 50-round drum barrel. A converted Glock has a fire rate of 1,200 rounds per minute.

The firearms seized included:

• KRISS Vector carbine with silencer;
• Glock handgun that was converted to fully automatic;
• Two SKS semi-automatic rifles;
• Loaded Ruger handgun with the serial number removed;
• CZ 75 Tactical Series handgun;
• Walther PPK handgun that was previously reported as stolen;
• Browning rifle;
• 2 suppressors
• Thousands of rounds of ammunition;

The firearms were seized alongside an estimated $100,000 worth of drugs. ALERT believes the group was supplying and trafficking drugs in Northern Alberta. A cocaine press was seized from one of the homes along with nearly 40 kilograms of an unknown buffing agent.

Tyson Willier, 23, was the main target of the investigation and he has been charged with 39 drug and weapons-related offences. Associates Bonita Hendricks, 20, Cleophus Houle, 42, and Vivian Korechuk, 43, were also charged.

Drugs have an estimated street value of $100,000, and include:

• 26 grams of cocaine;
• Nearly 2,000 illicit prescription pills;
• 30 grams of powder MDMA;
• 20 grams of psilocybin;
• 1,357 grams of marihuana;
• 38 kilograms of a cocaine buffing agent;
• Hydraulic press used for pressing cocaine;
• $13,355 in cash proceeds of crime.

ALERT opened the investigation at the end of June.

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 Alberta Sheriffs, Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Regional Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.

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