Five charged after ALERT seizes six guns, $300K worth of drugs in Calgary

Five people are facing 46 charges after an investigation uncovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in drugs and six guns at various locations across Calgary.

Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) says a search warrant was executed at a home in Harvest Hills on June 5, where two vehicles were also searched.

Through the investigation, a second home located in the southwest neighbourhood of Creekstone, as well as two storage lockers, were also identified and searched on June 13.

Police say the value of the drugs and cash seized is estimated at $370,000 and included cocaine, suspected cocaine buffing agents, methamphetamine, fentanyl, opioid pills, and more than $40,000 in cash.

ALERT also seized six guns, two that had their serial numbers defaced, and one that had 3D printed parts.

None of the guns were obtained legally and are currently with ballistics identification to figure out if they were used in any other crimes.

“Guns and drugs are a huge community issue, not only in Calgary and Edmonton but throughout the entire province. Drug dealers are generally armed, creating violent encounters and those encounters can happen anytime of day or night, which significantly increases the risk for public safety,” said Insp. Matthew Baker with ALERT Calgary.

Police say 27-year-old Juan Ruiz Durango fled from police when the search warrants were being executed and was arrested on Tuesday, July 9. He is facing 30 charges related to drugs and firearms.

Durango has a lifetime firearms prohibition due to previous gun-related charges.

He is in custody and scheduled to appear in court on July 17.

Also facing charges in connection to this investigation are 29-year-old Kushvet Aguiar Feo, 24-year-old Lizeth Valeria Rivera Lora, and 24-year-old Shataya McClelland, all of Calgary, and 26-year-old Michaela Forbes, of Airdrie.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police or contact CrimeStoppers.