160 charges laid in Calgary drug investigation focusing on downtown core
A Calgary police cruiser is shown next to a downtown CTrain. (CPS handout)
Calgary police say a recent drug trafficking operation in the downtown core has resulted in 160 charges being laid.
'Recently, we have seen an increase in calls for service in relation to overdoses and activity consistent with drug trafficking occurring at several CTrain stations and in public areas in downtown Calgary,' police said in a Wednesday news release.
In response, police partnered with bylaw officers and Calgary Transit peace officers to address the ongoing safety concerns.
Police say between April 22 and May 2, 29 people were charged with dozens of offences, including drug trafficking and possession.
Officers also seized several weapons including seven knives and an imitation revolver.
'The operation successfully targeted high-incident locations, arrested several drug traffickers, and aimed to support those arrested with resources for recovery,' said Staff Sgt. Lon Brewster.
Police said 97 per cent of those arrested had a history of trafficking-related charges, and 97 per cent were on a release pending trial or with conditions.
In addition, 79 per cent of arrestees had a prior criminal record, and 72 per cent of had a history of possession for the purpose of trafficking charges.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
42 minutes ago
- CTV News
Police searching for man who allegedly threatened stranger with gun in North York
The suspect Toronto police say is wanted for allegedly threatening a stranger with gun in North York on Thursday June 5, 2025 (TPS photos). Toronto police are searching for a man who they say allegedly threatened a stranger with a gun in North York's Flemingdon Park area Thursday afternoon. Officers say they were called to the St. Dennis Drive and Deauville Lane area at around 4:30 p.m. for reports of a person with a firearm. It's alleged that the suspect approached the victim and began a conversation before revealing what appeared to be a firearm tucked in his waistband and threatening to shoot. TPS suspect The second image Toronto police have released of a man who they say is wanted for threatening someone with a gun in North York on Thursday June 5, 2025 (TPS photos). 'The suspect then fled the area and was last seen travelling northbound on Deauville Lane on foot,' police wrote in Saturday's news release. Officials also say that they believe the suspect and victim did not know each other. The suspect is described as a man between 20 and 25 years old, approximately five-foot-eight with a medium build. Police say 'he was wearing a black facemask, black swaeter, blue/black pants and black shoes." Police are urging the public not to approach the man if spotted, and are asking anyone with information to come forward or call 911 immediately if seen.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Single-vehicle rollover temporarily closes southbound DVP lanes at York Mills
A Toronto Police Service logo patch is shown in Toronto, on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby Toronto police are investigating the scene of a vehicle rollover that temporarily shut down a stretch of the DVP late Friday night. In a post to social media, officials say they were called to the DVP at York Mills road just before 11 p.m. The male driver was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to investigators. The southbound DVP was closed at York Mills as crews began their investigation. However as of 1 a.m., police say all lanes have since reopened. There is no word on what caused the rollover.
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Prolific B.C. drunk driver could face deportation after dozens of driving bans over 30 years
A driver who has racked up 32 driving prohibitions or suspensions, as well as 16 24-hour driving bans, failed to convince a British Columbia judge he should get a lighter sentence than normal for drunk driving because more than six months in jail could get him deported to India. Article content Vernon's Gurinder Pal Singh Bajwa, a permanent resident of Canada who escaped deportation in 2019 on an impaired driving conviction with a sentence of five months and 29 days, got a reduced sentence this time around because Mounties captured him on surveillance cameras using the toilet in a holding cell after he was arrested for impaired driving again on May 11, 2022, after rear-ending a white Hyundai Tucson with his Mercedes sport utility vehicle in the parking lot of a Wholesale Club. His blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. Article content Article content Article content But the judge refused to lighten Bajwa's sentence on convictions for impaired and prohibited driving to a level that wouldn't have immigration consequences for the 57-year-old. Any sentence over six months can result in deportation from Canada. Article content Article content 'To accede to Mr. Bajwa's request for a (conditional sentence) or a reduction of the jail time on either count for the impact of the collateral immigration consequences to Mr. Bajwa and as a remedy (for breaching his Charter right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure), would bring the administration of justice into disrepute and result in an inappropriate and artificial sentence; in other words, an unfit sentence,' Judge David Patterson of B.C.'s provincial court wrote in a recent decision. Article content Bajwa immigrated to Canada from India's Punjab region over 34 years ago. Article content 'He received his first British Columbia driving prohibition on March 19, 1993,' said the judge. 'He has also accumulated a substantial number of additional Criminal Code convictions and Motor Vehicle Act infractions.' Article content Article content The Crown recommended Bajwa get between nine and 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine and a five-year driving prohibition for the impaired driving charge, plus another four months behind bars for getting behind the wheel while he 'was subject to five separate driving prohibitions' or suspensions. Article content Article content 'I am flabbergasted that Crown counsel has only sought a four-month consecutive jail sentence (for driving while prohibited),' Patterson said in his decision dated June 2. 'Given the circumstances of the offence, it is hard to imagine a more suitable case for the two-year less-a-day maximum sentence allowed.' Article content Bajwa's lawyer argued for a conditional sentence or no more jail time than he got in 2019 — five months and 29 days behind bars. He noted that would allow Bajwa to remain in Canada. Article content The court heard Bajwa 'has no one in India' and that he's in the process of getting a divorce 'as his alcohol usage ruined his relationship with his estranged wife and his children,' said the judge, who noted they live in Canada.
