Seven people arrested over the month of June, face 110 criminal counts between them
Law enforcement officers in Calgary carried out two unrelated search warrants in June, resulting in more than 100 charges relating to drugs and weapons laid against several individuals.
Five people face 46 charges after homes, lockers raided
On June 5, Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) executed a search warrant at a home in Calgary’s Harvest Hills community, as well as two vehicles.
The investigation led officers to a second home, located in Creekside, as well as two storage lockers which were searched on June 13.
Officers seized six unlawfully owned firearms, and drugs and cash estimated at $370,000.
Two of the firearms had their serial numbers defaced, and one contained 3D printed components. ALERT officials say the firearms are currently with ballistics identification to determine if they have been used in any other criminal offences.
Among the drugs seized was cocaine, suspected cocaine buffing agents, methamphetamine, fentanyl and opioid pills.
Juan Ruiz Durango, 27, fled from police at the time of the search warrant executions and was arrested on July 9. Durango, who has a lifetime firearms prohibition from previous firearms-related charges, has been charged with 30 offences relating to drugs and firearms.
Also facing charges in relation to the investigation are Kushvet Aguiar Feo, 29, of Calgary, Lizeth Valeria Rivera Lora, 24, of Calgary, Shataya McClelland, 24, of Calgary and Michaela Forbes, 26, of Airdrie.
“Guns and drugs are a huge community issue, not only in Calgary and Edmonton but throughout the entire province. Drug dealers are generally armed, creating violent encounters and those encounters can happen anytime of day or night, which significantly increases the risk for public safety,” said Insp. Matthew Baker with ALERT Calgary.
Two arrested, face 64 charges after search warrant executed
On June 24, Calgary police executed a search warrant for a vehicle and a residence located in the 8800 block of 36 Avenue N.W. after becoming aware of a man who was breaching imposed court conditions, which prohibited him from possessing weapons and drugs.
Officers seized two semi-automatic rifles, one with a prohibited magazine and one with the serial number removed, as well as a revolver with no serial number.
Also seized was methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine.
As a result of the seizures, a man and a woman were arrested in downtown Calgary and both face several charges.
Jeremy Robert Ferguson, 27, of Calgary has been charged with 41 offences relating to drug trafficking, firearms, disobeying court orders and operating a vehicle without a license. Ferguson is set to appear in court on July 24.
Journey Marie Godbout, 22, of Calgary has been charged with 23 offences relating to drug trafficking, firearms and failure to comply with a release order. Godbout is set to appear in court on July 22.