Prohibited handgun seized in Grande Prairie drug investigation

Grande Prairie… Six individuals are facing drug related charges following a year-long drug investigation in Grande Prairie that led to police seizing a prohibited 22-calibre handgun with a defaced serial number.

ALERT Grande Prairie’s organized crime team to seize the handgun, along with cocaine and cash, from a home in the Arbour Hills neighbourhood when it was searched in late 2022. A vehicle was also searched with help from Grande Prairie RCMP. Additional search warrants were executed on second home and vehicle in the Hillside neighbourhood.

In total, the following items were seized:

• 244 grams of cocaine;
• Four cell phones;
• Prohibited .22 caliber handgun;
• Ammunition;
• $9,000 in cash.

“Our investigation led to a number of people in the same drug trafficking network being charged. By arresting and charging drug traffickers in a criminal network, it disrupts their operations and helps lower the risk to the community,” said Staff Sergeant Tim Fralick, ALERT Grande Prairie.

The handgun will be submitted for further forensic analysis, ballistics testing and serial number restoration. The handgun is prohibited because of its shortened barrel length, which is favoured by drug dealers for its ability to be more easily concealed.

In February 2023, drug trafficking charges were laid against six individuals.

Delor Putrus, 25 of Grande Prairie, is facing two counts of trafficking cocaine. He was arrested and later released.

Oghenemudiak Anderson-Otunu, 22-years old of Grande Prairie, was also arrested and released. He faces the following charges:

• Trafficking cocaine;
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine; and
• Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000.

Drug trafficking warrants have been issued for:

• Olufetemi Arogundade, 26 of Grande Prairie;
• Akson Kasimba, 21 of Grande Prairie;
• Vincent Okocha, 23 of Grande Prairie; and
• Laszlo Szentmiklossy, 19-years old of Grande Prairie.

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.