Firearms seized in Calgary police operation, 5 men face 31 charges
Posted Jul 20, 2023 3:48 pm.
Last Updated Jul 20, 2023 5:13 pm.
Calgary police seized four loaded firearms and placed 31 charges on five individuals in two gang suppression operations in early July.
In a news release, police say the first incident happened on July 6 when the Violent Crime Suppression Team (VCST) conducted a walkthrough of a restaurant on Stephen Avenue and 4 Street SW.
Officers say they found a man sitting at a table “in breach of his court-imposed release conditions.” They arrested him and seized a loaded, semi-automatic, 9mm handgun “concealed in the man’s bag.”
A loaded 9mm handgun seized by police. (Courtesy CPS)
In addition to arresting 26-year-old Khat Reat, police took in 18-year-old Goaner Tut, who was wanted on 22 outstanding warrants for firearm offences, failing to comply with a court order, and trafficking of a controlled substance.
Reat was taken into custody and is expected to appear in court on Friday, while Tut was released and is expected to appear in court on July 28.
In a second incident on July 15, police were on 9 Avenue SW between 7 and 8 streets when they “observed a vehicle travelling with a passenger who had fled from patrol officers a short time earlier.”
Officers say they stopped the car, arrested four men inside, and seized a Glock G5 9mm handgun with the serial number removed, a Glock Gen 4 9mm handgun, and a loaded Glock 48 with its serial number removed.
As a result, police arrested 18-year-old Harliv Cheema, 29-year-old Brian Adams, and 22-year-old Ethan Michael Phan, all from Calgary.
Police did not release the fourth person’s identity but say they released them without laying charges.
They also add the three suspects were released with court-imposed conditions restricting them from possessing firearms. The three are expected to appear in court on Aug. 8.
Charges against all five individuals from both incidents include possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, obstruction, carrying a concealed weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded firearm, and possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number, and failing to comply with a court order.
“It is very concerning that we found these offenders in possession of loaded firearms while out in busy public areas,” says S Sgt Mike Lalande of the Organized Crime and Offender Management Section.
“Thanks to proactive work and quick action from our patrol and VCST officers, we were able to seize these firearms and likely prevent further violence.”
Police ask anyone with information about this incident to call them at 403-266-1234 or leave a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
