Calgary police seize AK-47 rifle, drugs in investigation

Afullyautomaticassault rifle was among the items police seized during a drug investigation in Calgary last week.

The joint investigation between city police and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams culminated March 22 when they carried out two search warrants in Kensington and Panorama Hills.

Investigators found an AK-47 with 48 rounds of ammunition, more than $23,000 in cash, and$57,000 in cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin.

"Clearlya firearm like this in the hands of a suspected drug dealer is a considerable public safety risk," said ALERT Staff Sgt. KeithHurley.

"Guns are used in the drug traffic trade for protection, intimidation, and retaliation."

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"ALERT has seized 125 guns this past year, but this one probably concerns me the most," continuedHurley.

"I do not have the benefit of knowing the gun's history or predicting how it may have been used, but it is capable of producing extreme violence."

Here's what else police seized:

• 229 grams of cocaine
• 35 grams of methamphetamine
• 69 grams of heroin
• 1,404 grams of Benzocaine cutting agent
• $23,450 cash proceeds of crime
• Packaging materials, digital scales, score sheets, and other drug trafficking paraphernalia

One person has been arrested and charged with 15offences:

• Three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking
• Production of cocaine
• Possession of proceeds of crime
• Careless use of firearm
• Unauthorized possession of firearm
• Three counts of unauthorized possession of weapon
• Four counts of possession of a weapon contrary to prohibition order
• Possession of a prohibited weapon with ammunition.

Hurley said the accused has a "significant history" with the police and it's likely there was more than one person involved in the suspected drug activity.

Forensics and ballistics teams will analyze the AK-47 to determine if it was used in any crimes.