RCMP from Red Deer has laid multiple drug and weapons charges against four men, including one Innisfailian, who are believed by police to be connected to organized crime.
“They do believe this has ties to organized crime, as to the extent I am not sure,” said Cpl. Sarah Knelsen, spokesperson for Red Deer City RCMP.
With the assistance of the “K” Division Emergency Response Team, Red Deer City Police Dog Services and the detachment's Community Response Unit, residences in Innisfail and Red Deer were entered and searched for drugs on Nov. 8.
The Innisfail raid occurred at a duplex at the corner of 49 Ave. and 50 St. Innisfail RCMP were on hand to provide traffic control and guard the scene.
“There were firearms located as well as a large amount of narcotics and money between the two (locations). I have not been advised which houses has them. However, two houses were searched, one in Red Deer and one in Innisfail,” said Knelsen. “A large amount of narcotics, some firearms were located as well as a large amount of currency was located.”
In a press release, RCMP said a significant quantity of controlled substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine and marihuana, was also located. RCMP added several handguns were seized.
The following males have been charged: Steven Michael Herman, 32, from Red Deer; Cory James Lesperance, 29, from Innisfail; Kevin Jean-Yves Noel, 30, from Red Deer and Nicholas David White, 22, from Red Deer.
Herman, Lesperance, Noel and White have been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a weapon obtained by the commission of an offence, two counts of possession of a prohibited weapons and careless use of a firearm.
As well, Herman and Lesperance has been charged with possession of a weapon while prohibited.
All four were remanded in custody.
