ALERT investigators said six people are facing dozens of charges between them following a lengthy investigation, which led to the seizure of a subcompact machine gun.

Police said the three-month investigation wrapped up October 12, with search warrants executed at four homes, three in Sylvan Lake, and one in Red Deer.

Among the items seized was a MAC-11 subcompact machine gun with a silencer, along with two extended clip magazines from the Red Deer home. Justin Sandquist, 26, lived in that home, and he was arrested as part of the investigation.

ALERT said Sandquist was also out on bail at the time of his arrest, he was previously charged in connection to a homicide in Edmonton in 2013.

In addition to the machine gun, ALERT investigators also seized two SKS rifles, two shotguns, a stolen sawed-off rifle, a loaded handgun, body armour and various rounds of ammunition.

Its alleged Sandquist, and five other suspects, were involved in drug trafficking in Sylvan Lake and Red Deer – in addition to firearms, investigators also seized 68 grams of cocaine, various pills, buffing agents, and other drug trafficking paraphernalia.

Along with Sandquist, the following five suspects were also charged: Robyn Lehner, 32, Darcey Perry, 24, Kyle Schellenberger, 27, Kayla Simms, 20, and Walter Cameron, 45. They are facing a shared total of 38 charges for drug and firearms offences.