Officials with the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) said dozens of charges have been laid against two people, including charges of child endangerment, after investigators searched two homes in Edmonton and St. Albert.
ALERT said investigators arrested a suspected Edmonton drug dealer, and executed two search warrants at homes in Edmonton and St. Albert on November 20 – following an investigation that launched in September.
Six children, aged between 5 and 14-years-old, were in the west Edmonton home when it was searched – the children are presently staying with another family member.
Investigators seized nearly $60,000 in drugs and cash at the time, and found five loaded handguns – none of which were stored properly, and were either loaded, or had ammunition nearby.
One of the firearms, identified as a 40-caliber Glock, had a laser sight, and its serial number had been removed.
In addition to the firearms, ALERT also seized 77 rounds of ammunition, a prohibited conducted energy weapon, 334 grams of cocaine, 310 grams of a cocaine buffing agent, 200 ecstasy pills, 113 grams of marijuana, drug trafficking paraphernalia, three vehicles, and $20,550 cash proceeds of crime.
Officials said the children living in the home could have easily accessed the firearms, or the drugs also found in the home.
Two individuals, a 39-year-old Edmonton man, and a 30-year-old woman, the mother of the children, are facing dozens of charges – they’re not being identified to protect the identities of the children.
The male suspect is facing 40 charges, including drug trafficking and firearms charges, and child abandonment.
The mother is facing six counts each of causing a child to be drug endangered, and causing a child to be in need of intervention, child abandonment and firearms and drug charges.
Both accused in this case appeared in an Edmonton courtroom November 24, the male has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear in court again November 27.
