Calgary police lay charges in several shootings, organized crime
Posted Aug 17, 2022 1:23 pm.
Last Updated Aug 18, 2022 10:15 am.
Calgary police have charged seven people with more than 100 gun-related offences in a series of investigations over the last few months.
Officers say they seized a loaded .380 Ruger handgun from a vehicle after a traffic stop near the end of April, and shortly afterwards, searched an apartment unit in the southeast community of East Village.
At the apartment, the Organized Crime Response Unit found $5,000 worth of drugs and $30,000 in cash. Police charged 28-year-old Masood Mohammad with 11 gun and drug-related crimes.
On July 13, officers searched a home in the northeast community of Coventry Hills.
A loaded 9mm Taurus handgun was found that officers believe was used in a Saddleridge shooting on April 6. Police add 35 bullets were shot from at least four different guns in that shooting, and ten homes and three vehicles were hit with stray bullets.
Police charged 24-year-old Nesheir Mohammed with five gun related charges and add that the shooting investigation is ongoing.
Officers arrested 31-year-old Samuel Deverze on July 17 at the Calgary International Airport after airport security found a loaded Glock handgun inside of his checked bag. Police say Deverze was taken into custody without incident and faces five gun charges.
A week ago on Wednesday, Aug. 10 Calgary’s Violent Crime Suppression Team laid 16 gun-related charges against 26-year-old Ahed Alwan. Officers believed Alwan was in violation of parole, and searched Alwan’s vehicle at a traffic stop. Police found two loaded semi-automatic handguns.
Police arrested four people who are allegedly part of an organized crime group, charging them with more than 80 crimes after a months-long investigation. Police say they seized five guns, a high capacity magazine, body armour, and drugs from 27-year-old John Ochelo, 28-year-old Shaylon Smuts, 29-year-old Dhia El-Hage Mohammed, and 29-year-old Feysal Abdul-Aziz.
Officers are still looking for one more alleged member of the criminal organization, 24-year-old Abdoulaye Gadjiko. He is described as 5’9”, 180 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes, and tattoos on his chest and both forearms.
24-year-old Abdoulaye Gadjiko is wanted by Calgary police and is a suspected member of a criminal organization. (Calgary Police)
24-year-old Abdoulaye Gadjiko is wanted by Calgary police and is a suspected member of a criminal organization. (Calgary Police)
Insp. Jodi Gach with the Calgary Police Organized Crime and Offender Management Section, says officers have responded to 91 shootings in the city so far this year.
“While our city has seen a rise in gun violence and shootings this year, it’s important to note that not all shootings can be attributed to true organized crime,” Gach said. “What we are seeing now is firearms being used in the commission of all types of crime, by offenders who are not organized crime offenders.”
Gach adds that those pulling the trigger in these shootings often do so in crowded areas of the city.
“While motivation for gun violence varies, each incident leaves a trail of Calgarians impacted,” Gach said. “In each case, there are witnesses, family members, neighbours, and business owners who deal with the consequences of this reckless violence.”
Anyone with information about gun violence or guns in their community is asked to call police at 403-266-1234. You can also leave a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
