The Airdrie RCMP Crime Reduction Unit seized more than 200 grams of cocaine, fentanyl, MDMA, Canadian currency and drug trafficking paraphernalia June 17 from a residence in Airdrie, according to Constable Curtis Peters.
Four people, including two Airdrie residents, have now been charged with various drug offenses.
“It’s an investigation that took place over quite a period of time – probably a couple of months,” Peters said.
“There was really good co-operation (between agencies) that resulted in a good turnout on the file and good charges against the individuals.”
Airdrie RCMP was assisted in the investigation that led to warrants being executed at homes in Airdrie and Calgary by the Calgary RCMP General Investigation Section, Calgary Police Services (CPS) and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) out of Calgary.
Peters said he was not able to release details about the investigation as these now form part of the case against the suspects.
According to Peters, Airdrie RCMP executed the search warrant at the Airdrie residence at approximately 3:25 p.m. with the assistance of the RCMP Police Dog Services and members of ALERT. The CPS Tactical Unit and ALERT simultaneously executed a search warrant at a Calgary residence.
Charged with 10 offenses including trafficking, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime is Airdrie resident Wade Gunoff, 34. Gunoff remains in custody and appeared in Airdrie Provincial Court June 23 (after press time).
This is not the first time Gunoff has been arrested by Airdrie RCMP, according to Peters.
Gunoff was arrested Jan. 29, and charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of MDMA for the purpose of trafficking, possession of marijuana and marijuana resin, possession of fentanyl, possession of crack cocaine and possession of the proceeds of crime, relating to a search warrant executed at his residence in the Allen Street area in November 2015.
Karlee Kettner, 28, of Airdrie is charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance and trafficking. She has been released on bail and will appear in Airdrie Provincial Court July 7.
Andrew Knapp, 31, and Honour Toth, 26, both of Calgary have each been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a controlled substance. They will both appear in Airdrie Provincial Court July 14.
Peters could not comment on how the four suspects are known to each other or how they may have been working together.
A 37-year-old man from Red Deer was arrested and charged June 9 by Airdrie RCMP in connection with a case of identity theft dating from December 2015, according to Peters.
An Airdrie bank contacted RCMP Dec. 8, 2015 regarding a number of suspicious bank transactions. A lengthy investigation by Airdrie RCMP, including noting discrepancies between social insurance numbers and photo identification used to secure bank loans, led to the identification of Porter as a suspect.
Porter was in custody at the Calgary Remand Centre on unrelated charges when he was charged in connection with the Airdrie case.
He faces charges of fraud, identity theft and identity fraud and will appear in Airdrie Provincial Court on June 30.
A second suspect, Sasha Porter, 34, also of Red Deer, is also wanted by police. A warrant has been issued for her arrest on charges of fraud, identity theft and identity fraud.
A case of road rage June 16 has Airdrie RCMP looking for the people involved, according to Peters.
RCMP received a complaint of an alleged assault occurring between two motorists at approximately 5 p.m. at the intersection of Yankee Valley Boulevard and East Lake Boulevard.
RCMP is not releasing too many details about the alleged assault, however, Peters said one of the vehicles involved is a red Dodge Ram pickup truck. The model of the other vehicle is not known.
“We’re looking to see if there are any witnesses to this alleged case of road rage that took place,” he said.
“We’re a little unclear (as to the form of the assault).”
