DRUGS, WEAPONS SEIZED IN BUSTS ACROSS REGION

Police have put a major dent in Central Alberta drug trafficking
following a lengthy investigation that resulted in charges against 43
people.

However, Mounties know the trade will continue to flourish until the
dealers either quit, are sent to jail or move out of town, Cpl. Steve
Cormack of city RCMP said on Tuesday.

The investigation involved police forces from all over Central Alberta
and culminated in six separate residential raids on the weekend.

Four search warrants were executed in Red Deer, with others in Lacombe
and Sundre, in the operation called Project Kottage.

Police seized about $90,000 in drugs and a wide assortment of weapons,
including explosives.

Police from Red Deer city and Red Deer subdivision, Olds, Three Hills,
Sundre, Didsbury and Lacombe participated.

Cormack said nine people have been arrested. The remainder face more
than 150 total charges.

Cormack said the charges followed a six-week undercover operation that
saw two Mounties purchase drugs and gather intelligence.

"The investigation targeted several drug traffickers in Red Deer and
other Central Alberta communities," said Cpl. Rick Goldstein of Red
Deer subdivision drug section.

"It will have a ripple effect," Cormack said.

"It will keep the dealers on edge and show them we're going to get
them eventually if they don't get out of town or stop."

Cormack said police seized 794 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine, 130
grams of methamphetamine (crystal meth), 956 grams of marijuana, 125
grams of psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and quantities of MS Contin and
Valium.

Weapons seized included two handguns, two shotguns, an assault rifle,
explosives, several knives and daggers.

Four vehicles were also seized.

Charges range from trafficking in a narcotic to possession of a
narcotic for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of
crime and various weapons offences.

Cormack said names of the those charged will be released once more are
arrested.

Arrests are expected to continue through the week.

The majority of people facing charges are from Red Deer, Goldstein
said.