Seven firearms – including a machine gun – were seized by police during a three-month drug-trafficking investigation in central Alberta.
Officers with the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) searched three homes in Sylvan Lake and one in Red Deer on Oct. 12.
According to ALERT, the MAC-11 subcompact machine gun was seized from the home of Justin Sandquist, 26, in the Vanier Woods neighbourhood of Red Deer. At the time, Sandquist was on bail in relation to a homicide investigation in Edmonton.
During the investigation, police said 68 grams of cocaine were seized, along with various pills, buffing agents and other drug-trafficking paraphernalia.
Six people — including Robyn Lehner, 32, Darcey Perry, 24, Kyle Schellenberger, 27, Kayla Simms, 20, Walter Cameron, 45, and Sandquist — are facing a total of 38 charges.
It’s alleged that the suspects were involved in drug trafficking in the Sylvan Lake and Red Deer areas.
Along with the machine gun, ALERT seized two SKS rifles, two shotguns, a sawed-off rifle, a loaded handgun, body armour and ammunition.
Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community are asked to call local police or contact Crime Stoppers.