Calgary police lay over 160 charges after downtown drug trafficking sweep

Calgary police have charged 29 people with more than 160 offences following a downtown crackdown on drug trafficking and related crime.

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Calgary police have charged 29 people with more than 160 offences following a downtown crackdown on drug trafficking and related crime.

The multi-day operation, conducted between April 22 and May 2, targeted C-Train stations and other public areas in the city centre following a spike in drug-related emergency calls, police said in a news release Wednesday.

The Calgary Police Service said the sweep was part of a broader strategy to curb crime and social disorder downtown and along transit corridors.

Many of those arrested were already known to police: 79 per cent had prior criminal records; 97 per cent had histories of trafficking-related charges; 72 per cent had past charges for possession for the purpose of trafficking; and 97 per cent were already on release with conditions or awaiting trial.

“In response, our officers partnered with investigative units from across the Service, including our Community Engagement Response Teams, Calgary Community Standards bylaw officers, and Calgary Transit peace officers to launch an operation addressing the safety concerns and to disrupt the drug trafficking,” the statement read.

The charges include drug trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of stolen property, weapons offences, and failure to comply with release orders.

Officers also seized seven knives and one imitation handgun during the operation.

The sweep was carried out under the Safer Calgary initiative, launched earlier this year in response to concerns about violence and disorder around public transit.

As of mid-March, police said the program had resulted in more than 230 charges laid, 1,464 warrants executed, and 1,060 tickets issued.

Public anxiety over safety on public transit has increased in recent months. In late March, a person was shoved at a downtown C-Train station and more recently, a bus driver in northeast Calgary was seriously injured after being beaten with a pipe and stabbed by riders who lured him off-route. Another driver was injured in a separate road rage incident in early March.

Police say those arrested in the latest operation were also provided with information about addiction treatment, shelters, and employment services. Some may be referred to Calgary’s Drug Treatment Court or Indigenous Court, where applicable.