ALERT makes $2M drug seizure in Red Deer, largest in city’s history
Posted November 14, 2023 1:17 pm.
The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) say a significant drug seizure has been made in Red Deer, thought to be the largest in the city’s history.
ALERT said Tuesday that $2 million worth of drugs and cash had been seized in the city north of Calgary.
Red Deer’s organized crime team made the bust on Oct. 19 after a search of a home on the city’s north side.
Police say the drugs have an estimated street value of $2.2 million and included 6.8 kilograms of fentanyl, 6.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, 0.4 kilograms of cocaine, 1.9 litres of GHB, and $17,286 cash.
Nine firearms, including two handguns, four rifles, and three shotguns were also seized from the home, according to ALERT.
Eight of the guns were found loaded with ammunition and several others were sawed-off, had their serial numbers defaced, or were previously reported as stolen, the agency adds.
More than 20,000 rounds of ammunition and body armour were also seized.
ALERT says it is also moving toward civil forfeiture against seized cash, silver bars, collectable coins, and three high-end electric scooters.
They say the scooters were allegedly being used in the suspect’s drug trafficking operations.
Delmond Kroetsch was arrested after investigators saw a suspected drug deal take place in Red Deer’s downtown. His home in the Fairview neighbourhood was searched shortly after.
The 43-year-old has been charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, and 28 firearms-related offences.
He is in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on December 4, 2023.
ALERT explains that Kroetsch was not in lawful possession of the firearms and has a ban on owning guns stemming from a Fort McMurray investigation in 2002.
Red Deer’s largest known drug bust previously happened in March 2019 where 1.6 kilograms of cocaine, 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl, and 2.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, and other drugs were seized.
Anyone who suspects drug or gang activity in their community should call their local police, or leave an anonymous tip through CrimeStoppers.
