Three Alberta suspects face 30 charges for gun trafficking, illegal gun possession: IBET

The Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) says three people have racked up 30 charges related to weapons trafficking and illegal firearms possession.

The group, which is a joint force between the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the Calgary Police Service, says the investigation started in September 2022.

At the time, the IBET notified the CBSA about a “suspicious package” containing a 10 Polymer80 lower Glock handgun kit addressed to an Eckville home that had been intercepted.

Investigators say two other packages with nine polymer lowers for AR-15 rifles and one upper receiver with a barrel were intercepted in April of this year.

After an eight-month investigation, officers searched homes in Eckville, Rocky Mountain House, and Calgary on May 3.

The RCMP says it seized a number of illegal firearms, including handguns, long barrel guns, and “evidence of manufacturing various firearms.”

Officers have arrested 30-year-old Aaron Mckervey of Eckvile, 63-year-old Alpat Sonnenberg of Rocky Mountain House, and 38-year-old Koty Herndon of Calgary.

The combined charges the three face include possession of an illegal firearm, possession for the purpose of weapons trafficking, and possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition.

Mckervey alone faces 16 charges.

He is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on May 23, while Sonnenberg is scheduled on May 24, and Herndon is scheduled on June 9.

“Firearm violence has impacted several communities across the nation and the policing community as a whole. This investigation serves as an important reminder that the fight to prevent illegal firearms from entering Canada is always ongoing,” said Supt. Sean Boser with the OIC of federal policing.