Houses, cars, weapons seized in gang sweep

Fourteen people have been arrested after a year-long investigation into the criminal activities of a violent gang, Calgary police announced Wednesday.

More than 100 criminal charges have been laid as part of the investigation, carried out by members of the Calgary police and RCMP in Okotoks, Cochrane and Nanton.

Investigators confiscated illegal weapons and drugs, and also seized alleged proceeds of crime, including four homes with a combined value of about $2 million, and 16 vehicles, including a $200,000 Mercedes.

Officers also seized $75,000 cash and jewelry valued at about $50,000, described as "offence-related property."

Fourteen people between the ages of 19 and 30 arrested throughout the year have been charged with drug and firearm offences.

One man also faces charges of extortion, while another is accused of multiple breaches of recognizance orders.

All but one of the suspects have since been released on bail, said police.

"These individuals belong to a cell in one of our most violent gangs," said acting Calgary police Staff Sgt. Martin Schiavetta.

"This is certainly a huge success for the police service and for the RCMP. However, our work is not done. We recognize that there are other members of this gang still operating, still committing acts of violence and still distributing cocaine in Calgary and the Calgary-area."

Investigators executed more than 25 search warrants in Calgary, resulting in the seizure of:

• 10 firearms (five semi-automatic handguns, three rifles, and two shotguns).
• Two bulletproof vests, one of which was of military specification.
• 16.5 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $1.65 million.
• 305 grams of ecstasy with an estimated street value of $6,100.
• 853 grams of psilocybin (magic mushrooms) with an estimated street value of $13,000.
• Night vision equipment.
• One Taser.
• Hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
• Numerous butterfly knives.

The force has a policy of not naming gangs in the city.

"I would hate to trot out the name of a known gang and have somebody, a young person, for example, pick up on that name and use it because they thought it was a cool thing to banter around, and end up a victim of violence themselves," explained Insp. Shaun Gissing, head of the Calgary police organized crime section, in July.

Gang-related violence in the city has escalated this summer, with at least three fatal shootings since July linked to grudges between gangs.

Calgary police said news of the arrests Wednesday has nothing to do with a meeting Thursday between Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier, who is seeking funding from the province to hire 200 more police officers.