Man charged after drugs, weapons seized from Calgary Airbnb

A 31-year-old man has been charged with numerous firearms-related offences after drugs and weapons were seized from a Calgary Airbnb property over the weekend.

On Saturday, Calgary police said they were called to reports of weapons and drug activity within a bedroom rental in the 1500 block of 5 Street S.W.

Police searched the unit and seized $490,000 worth of illicit drugs, what police believe to be drug distribution equipment and several illegal firearms.

In total, police seized:

• Two 9mm pistols
• One .22 caliber pistol
• Seven magazines, one of which contained 31 rounds (10-round legal limit in Canada)
• Ammunition
• Seven kilograms of cocaine
• Cutting agents
• Drug distribution equipment such as scales and packaging

Anthoulah Dessalines, 31, is charged with knowing possession of an unlicensed weapon, possession of restricted/prohibited firearm, knowing possession of a prohibited device or ammunition and careless storage of a firearm.

3:37 ‘Unprecedented territory’: Calgary police chief outlines concerns, next steps amid wave of gun violence

Dessalines was released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, Oct. 24.

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Calgary police said the investigation is ongoing.

In a statement, a spokesperson with Airbnb said the company stands ready to support the Calgary Police Service in its investigation.

“With over one billion guest arrivals on our platform, trust and safety is a priority, and negative incidents are very rare. Our safety team is working quickly to assess the situation and we have removed the individual from the platform,” the company statement said.

“We are also supporting our host in opening a claim under our AirCover for Hosts program, which provides top-to-bottom protection for hosts in these rare instances.”

Police are asking anyone with information on the investigation to contact the Calgary Police Service at 403-266-1234. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.