An investigation by Alberta Law Enforcement Response teams has led to the arrest of eight people from Red Deer and the Bentley area who are facing 51 criminal charges relating to drugs, firearms and possession of proceeds of crime.
An ALERT press release states on Dec. 17, ALERT Red Deer executed two search warrants to conclude a seventh-month investigation related to drug trafficking.
RCMP Red Deer and Sylvan Lake members assisted ALERT with raids at a home in the Johnstone area of Red Deer and another at a rural address near Bentley.
The Bentley residence was being used to package and press cocaine and additional quantities of heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl, MDMA, methamphetamine and marihuana were seized inside the home.
The drugs had an estimated street value of $60,000.
Michael Gunville, 37, Chad Gunville, 35, Stephanie Sheehan, 28 and Clarissa Liebenberg, 26 were arrested and charged at the Bentley residence.
Ashlin Loughlin, 23, Blair Loughlin, 28, Walter Cameron, 43 and April Marinakis, 20 were arrested and charged at the Red Deer home.
Six firearms were recovered including a loaded nine mm handgun, two 12-gauge shotguns, and three high-powered rifles, one of which was a 50 caliber sniper-style rifle with ammunition.
A variety of gold, silver bars and precious gems were seized and are being investigated as stolen. Two all-terrain vehicles and a skid steer located at the property are also suspected of being stolen.
Over $20,000 in cash, determined to be proceeds of crime, was also seized.
ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the provinces most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime. Nearly 400 municipal police, RCMP and sheriffs work in ALERT.