A brief investigation into firearms conducted by Sylvan Lake RCMP after a traffic stop of a vehicle leaving a residence on Falcon Crescent on April 17 has resulted in the seizure of multiple firearms, cash, and drugs.
During the traffic stop on April 17, two individuals were arrested, officers on scene located cocaine, and over $5,000 on one of the suspects.
At the time, the vehicle was then towed pending a search warrant.
RCMP then executed a search warrant on a residence on Falcon Crescent, resulting in members locating two loaded handguns, a loaded shotgun, a loaded semi-automatic assault rifle, a hunting rifle, and over one kilogram of ketamine.
In addition, approximately $12,990 was seized during the search warrant.
On April 18, RCMP executed a search warrant on the vehicle seized the day prior.
During the search, members located three and a half ounces of cocaine and another loaded handgun.
As a result of the warrants, RCMP have charged 41-year-old Jesse Bergstrom, 39-year-old Katie Cameron, and 48-year-old Samantha Lind with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, and multiple weapon offences, including the possession of prohibited firearms.
Bergstrom and the two other suspects have since been released pending future court dates in Red Deer, Alberta.
"I would like to thank all the Alberta RCMP units that assisted us in this investigation, including the Blackfalds General Investigation Section, the Red Deer Crime Reduction Team, the Sylvan Lake General Investigation Section, and the Sylvan Lake General Duty frontline members," Staff Sgt. Jay Peden said.
"The Alberta RCMP is committed to using every resource available to bring back safety to our communities. This includes establishing a new community response team, which is a quick response crime reduction team designed to be able to swiftly tackle a variety of issues in support of detachments and districts. They work with frontline members and partners in the community to address the driving cause of crime, and take a data-driven and targeted approach."
This seizure is the first of this magnitude in Sylvan Lake, Peden said.
"This was a significant seizure. We are talking roughly $19,500, in excess of one kilogram of ketamine, and of course, firearms. This is significant for Sylvan Lake as during the last 15 years, I can say nothing like this has been seized here."
The proximity of drugs and guns close to Ecole Mother Teresa and Fox Run School is disturbing, he added.
"When it comes to safety, if it is a search warrant, in a high-risk manner, we communicate with the schools. We let them know we have something going on so they can take their approach to how they are going to secure all whatnot. We are actively in communication with the schools in Sylvan Lake, much like most detachments, and most municipalities and rural areas."
"Having discussions with children or young teens about the risk of drugs is always a good and positive approach. That is an individual choice on how they approach that."
Sylvan Lake is a safe community, Peden said.
"We have a safe community. We are dedicated to targeting drugs and guns to continue to make it a safe community."
"The individuals who have been released have conditions attached to their release orders, and we will remain active in ensuring compliance."
The Town of Sylvan Lake is thankful for the dedication and hard work of the RCMP in the community, Mayor Megan Hanson said.
"By ensuring these dangerous materials are kept off of our streets, we can make sure Sylvan Lake is a welcoming and inclusive community for residents and visitors alike. We must continue to work together as a community, along with our partners and law enforcement, to uphold safety."
"Today marks a big step in removing dangerous goods from our neighbourhoods. This is terrifying to know it is in the community. I hope this starts a greater conversation on safety and how we look out for each other."
If individuals see or know something, they should call the Sylvan Lake RCMP detachment at 403-858-7200 or contact Crime Stoppers, and action will be taken.
"Addressing the impact of available drugs is not just the responsibility of the police; it is a shared effort that involves families, communities, and all levels of society. Together we can protect neighbourhoods by protecting those at risk to build a safer, healthier future for everyone," Peden said.
