Police have arrested a Calgary man on a string of drug and weapons charges after receiving multiple tips about a man selling drugs near an elementary school and a daycare in the Beltline.
Investigators said a social service agency for newcomers was also in the area.
Paula Rodriguez often visits a friend who lives in the area and said she has heard stories about the man that made it “pretty evident” trafficking was happening nearby.
“There was a time that he brought the people he was dealing to into the elevator, and my friend was in the elevator with all these sketchy people,” Rodriguez said, recounting one story told to her.
“It puts all the people in this building in danger.”
Officers searched a home in the 1100 block of 10 Street S.W. on Oct. 2, seizing 7.3 grams of heroin that police said also contained fentanyl and other unknown substances.
The following drugs, drug paraphernalia and weapons were also seized:
- 24 grams of methamphetamine
- Weight scales and packaging materials
- $52 in U.S. cash
- $5,045 in Canadian currency
- 20 6mm Remington rifle rounds
- 12 12-gauge shotgun rounds
- A machete
Shameel Nitesh Ram, 37, is charged with trafficking of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of heroin for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and careless storage of ammunition.
Police also indicated the heroin seized may have been tainted.
“We expect to hear back from the lab that it might not be pure heroin,” Staff Sgt. Sean Wallace said in an interview Wednesday.
“It could be fentanyl, it could be cut with other products, which makes it very dangerous to the community.”
Ram was also arrested on four outstanding warrants and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 13.
With files from Global’s Joel Senick