Priority crimes task force executes search warrant – Update #1
Following Wednesday’s search warrant at a rural property near Markerville, the team of more than 100 RCMP members from Red Deer, Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake, Innisfail, the Alberta Emergency Response Team, the Special Tactical Operations Team, and Police Dog Services worked into the evening searching the 130 acre property and processing items that had been seized.
RCMP seized a number of vehicles as evidence in their drug trafficking investigation, and a number of large-scale stolen items, including a Mercedes, a dirt bike and a trailer. RCMP also seized methamphetamine, cocaine, steroids and GHB, and a number of firearms. The Edmonton Explosives Disposal Unit of the RCMP was brought in yesterday evening to take possession of a number of explosives, known as rail torpedos, that were found on the property; that seizure occurred without incident.
Thanks to shared intelligence between Red Deer and Lloydminster RCMP, Lloydminster members executed two search warrants yesterday morning at the same time as the Markerville area search warrant. The warrants were executed at a residence in Lloydminster and another residence in Kitscoty. Lloydminster RCMP seized a number of electronic devices that are evidence in the Markerville trafficking investigation, as well as a sawed off shotgun and several grams of methamphetamine from the Lloydminster residence. They took 2 men and a woman into custody at that location; all three are facing drug and weapons charges. The search at the Kitscoty residence did not result in further seizures.
The Priority Crimes Task Force continues to work with Lloydminster RCMP on these linked investigations. The Task Force will issue an update soon regarding a media event.
Red Deer RCMP seek public assistance to locate 16 year old Marley Burdick
Red Deer RCMP is requesting the public’s assistance in locating 16 year old Marley Burdick. Burdick was last seen on April 14 in Red Deer. RCMP believe she may have travelled to Edmonton or Spruce Grove but have not yet been able to confirm that and continue to check various locations in Red Deer, as well.
Marley Burdick is described as:
- Caucasian
- 5’2″ tall
- 90 lbs
- brown eyes
- straight, shoulder-length dark brown hair
- last seen wearing a black jacket and leggings with cat images on them
- no longer has the lip piercing shown in the attached photo
If you have any information on Marley Burdick’s whereabouts you are asked to contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403.343.5575.
Red Deer Duo charged with Human Trafficking
Calgary, Alberta – On April 3, 2015 Calgary Federal Serious Organized Crime officers completed a ten month investigation of a human trafficking case, which resulted in investigators charging two individuals under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
49-year-old, Varinder SIDHU and 46-year-old, Ravinder SIDHU, both from Red Deer, have been charged with:
· Organize the coming into Canada of one or more persons by means of abduction, fraud, deception or use or threat of force or coercion, contrary to Section 118(1).
· Employ a foreign national in a capacity in which the foreign national is not authorized under this Act to be employed, contrary to Section 124(1).
· Counsel, induce, aid or abet or attempts to counsel, aid or abet any person to directly or indirectly misrepresent or withhold material facts relating to a relevant matter that induces or could induce an error in the administration of this Act is guilty of an offence contrary to Section 126.
This investigation began in June 2014, when Alberta Employment Standards contacted RCMP which led to a joint-investigation into the alleged abuse of eight temporary foreign workers employed at Econolodge – Gasoline Alley of Red Deer, Alberta.
“Human Traffickers exploit the most vulnerable people in society such, as migrant workers, and they prey on despair and desperation”, says Inspector Darcy Fleury, Officer in Charge of the Alberta RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime in Calgary. “Our collaboration with Alberta Employment Standards was instrumental in this investigation.”
Varinder and Ravinder SIDHU are to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on May 26, 2015.
Further information on Human Trafficking can be found at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ht- tp/index-eng.htm