An Edmonton couple is facing child endangerment charges, among others, after police said there were children in the home with firearms present and while the parents were trafficking drugs.
On May 23, members from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams searched two west Edmonton homes.
Inside, police seized nearly three kilograms of cocaine, two loaded handguns and an “assortment” of proceeds of crime.
“Two young children” lived in one of the homes, ALERT said. The police organization wouldn’t expand on the ages of the children, only saying they were “quite young.”
“Not only were harmful substances found within the home along with firearms, but there is evidence to suggest that these children were exposed to drug trafficking actually taking place,” ALERT spokesperson Mike Tucker said.
“The drug trade is inherently violent, and to think that these children were exposed to that type of behaviour and that level of risk is really reprehensible.”
In total, police seized around $300,000 worth of drugs that included:
- 2.73 kilograms of cocaine
- 211 grams of crack cocaine
- 571 grams of a cocaine buffing agent
- a stolen Kel-Tec handgun
- a restricted Kimber handgun
Three luxury vehicles were also seized, as well as a motorcycle and a pontoon boat. ALERT alleged the goods were purchased with drug proceeds.
The parents were charged under Alberta’s Drug-Endangered Children’s Act. The 38-year-old man and 22-year-old woman will not be named to protect the identity of the children.
The two are also facing a range of drug- and weapons-related charges.
A third woman, 23, was also charged in the investigation.
“Our information suggests they were quite actively involved in the drug trade in the Edmonton area,” Tucker said. “Our investigation was fast tracked to a certain degree once we became aware of children involved to disrupt that activity and minimize risk to the children.”
The Edmonton Police Service and its Child-At-Risk Response Team provided ALERT with assistance.
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