Red Deer RCMP were executing a search warrant in the Riverside Meadows neighbourhood Tuesday when officers encountered what appeared to be a homemade explosive device.
Officers could not initially determine whether the item contained explosive material.
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As a precaution, nearby homes and business were evacuated and the RCMP Explosives Device Unit (EDU) was brought in to help investigate.
Members of the EDU managed to safely remove the object. Police said preliminary tests of the device were positive for explosive material.
“They did an inspection of the device, removed it and they took it to a secure location where it was — they blow it up is what they do,” Staff Sgt. Rob Marsollier explained.
“They tested it later to be positive for an explosive energetic.”
The evacuation was lifted Tuesday afternoon and residents were allowed to return to their homes.
Police said the device was discovered while they were executing search warrants at two Red Deer apartments along with a home in Sylvan Lake.
Police said they initially searched the apartment unit as part of a drug investigation.
“It was a controlled drugs and substances act warrant,” Marsollier said.
Five people were taken into custody in Red Deer and two in Sylvan Lake.
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Police were called to a building in the same area on Sunday where they were also executing a search warrant in relation to a “shooting event” on Jan. 18.
RCMP said charges are pending.