Search of Calgary Homes Yields Drugs, Handgun

Calgary… Two men have been arrested after ALERT searched two homes and two vehicles in Calgary and seized more than $700,000 worth of drugs and cash.

ALERT’s Calgary organized crime and gang team made the seizure on July 26, 2018 after searching homes in the neighbourhoods of Copperfield and Douglasdale. Both homes were allegedly being used to package and press cocaine for street-level drug sales.

Most of the cocaine was seized from a home in Copperfield. ALERT alleges that the two men arrested were involved in cocaine distribution and supplying drug markets in Calgary and surrounding communities. Calgary Police Service provided assistance on the case.

Colton Darby and Ricardo Martinez were arrested without incident. Both men are 21 years old and together they face a total of 23 drug and firearms-related offences.

The value of the drugs and cash seized exceeds $700,000:

• 4.5 kilograms of cocaine;
• 549 grams of heroin;
• 360 grams of cannabis;
• a 2013 BMW sedan; and
• $30,085 cash proceeds of crime.

Investigators also seized a Glock handgun, various rounds of ammunition, two prohibited magazines, and body armour. The handgun is believed to have been smuggled from the United States by unknown suspects.

Darby is charged with:

• Production of a controlled substance (x 2);
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 3);
• Possession of property obtained by crime;
• Unlawful possession of a firearm;
• Possession of a firearm obtained by crime;
• Possession of a prohibited device (x 2);
• Possession of a firearm without a license;
• Possession of a weapon contrary to order; and
• Breach of probation.

Martinez is charged with:

• Production of a controlled substance;
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 2);
• Possession of property obtained by crime;
• Unlawful possession of a firearm;
• Possession of a firearm obtained by crime;
• Possession of a prohibited device (x 2);
• Possession of a firearm without a license;
• Possession of body armour.

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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