In an investigation meant to reduce violent crime in Calgary’s downtown, 29 people have been arrested are facing 128 charges related to drug trafficking, police said Monday. Crystal meth, followed by morphine, were the most commonly seized drugs in the investigation. Fentanyl was only seized once out of more than 30 drug seizures.
The people charged range in age from 19 to 61 years old.
The first of two operations started in December 2015, which focused on family restaurants on the 17 Avenue S.W. corridor. Seven people were arrested for a variety of drug and stolen property charges along with outstanding warrants at the end of this first phase.
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In a news release police said such drug activity “breeds violence and property crime such as break and enters, car prowlings and vehicle thefts.”
In January, the second phase of the operation targeted restaurants, the Calgary Public Library and Olympic Plaza in the area of 7 Avenue S.W. Twenty-two people were charged in that phase, and face 81 drug and criminal code charges. Police said more than half are known to police for violence and property-related offences.
The people charged in the two-month operation are:
Lloyd Fred Brule, 25
Robert Charles Gourlay, 34
Daniel Paul Marquis, 33
Jayson Youngberg, 45
Emily Mason, 29
Riley Gabe Fiddler, 19
Andrew Maier, 40
Jason Kruger, 55
Justin Black, 25
Alexander McNair, 37
Aaron Mathias, 36
Julius Peacemaker, 28
Brian Jarvis, 49
William Dufour, 25
Clifford Turner, 58
Cory Depres, 35
Colleen Choma, 33
Darren Tomczak, 41
Joshua Serson, 24
Robert Jacobson, 39
Vanessa Kittiekaywinnie, 26
Chasity Courtre, 22
Brooke Dionne, 22
Margaret Weaselhead, 29
Elena Zaldana-Parenteau, 23
John Reid, 57
Said Ashraf, 40
Darren Kennedy, 48
Peter McKenzie, 61
“We can’t do this alone. Accurate and timely reporting allows us to deploy our resources where they are needed most. Never hesitate to call,” Insp. Cliff O’Brien said in a statement. Anyone who sees suspicious activity is encouraged to call police at 403-266-1234.
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