Edmonton police seek 3 people after gun seizure

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) says three people are wanted following a gun seizure in connection to a drug trafficking investigation.

Following a two-month investigation over the summer of 2022, police were able to determine a group had been trafficking cocaine between Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

During the investigation, multiple search warrants were issued for vehicles, hotel rooms, and a southwest Edmonton home.

Police seized 11 guns and nearly $220,000 in the searches. Despite this, EPS says no drugs were recovered.

“Of the firearms seized, two were listed as stolen, and five were of US origin. One of the stolen handguns is capable of both semi automatic and fully automatic fire. High capacity magazines were seized as well and also it needs to be mentioned that most of these firearms were found in a loaded condition,” says Staff Sgt. Dave Paton of Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement (EDGE).

“The modifications made on some of these firearms are concerning and they post a substantial risk to the public and we are glad that we were able to take them off the street.”

Cst. Erik Tolley saying, “Many of these firearms are, or were, commercially available in Canada, up until the government passed the most recent addition to the firearms act where people can no longer transfer handguns. Essentially the one that is still available in Canada is this semi-automatic 22-calibre rifle. The rest are either prohibited or on their way to being prohibited.”

Adding, “They’re all very high-end firearms, a few of them have capabilities that you can not buy legally. Anywhere. So you have to know people and know where to acquire things like this. So just looking at the firearms, these people are professionals. They know what they’re doing, they’ve got connections.”

Cash seized by Edmonton police following drug investigation. (Photo Courtesy: Edmonton Police Service)

“The origin and types of firearms seized are of considerable concern to police. The results of this investigation clearly demonstrate the strong correlation between drug trafficking, firearms and violence,” says Paton.

“These firearms, in a lot of cases were in loaded condition, were in vehicles in hidden compartments, they were readily accessible to those transporting them through the city of Edmonton, so it does highlight our concerns in relation to what we are starting to see in these investigations.”

Police say 34-year-old Lance Adam Burke Larocque and 32-year-old Maya Anne Cardenas McGregor are wanted for a combined 34 charges relating to prohibited weapons.

In addition, 25-year-old Reilly Michael John Ross, of Yellowknife, is also wanted for possession of stolen property.

“This is a concern, I’m careful to say it’s a trend, I’m not sure I’m ready to go that far. In the last four or five investigations that we’ve had, that were drug investigations, we’re uncovering five or more firearms, so it does seem to be a case where they are proliferating, and that’s why we wanted to be sure to bring that awareness to the public that we are starting to see more and more of them on the street, but their capabilities are far more potent,” Paton explained.

“The vast majority of these firearms have been obtained illegally. I think it highlights the ease with which organized crime can access firearms.”

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of any of the suspects is asked to contact EPS at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

-With files from Laura Krause, CityNews