3 charged in downtown Calgary, Beltline drug investigation

Calgary police cruisers can be seen in this undated file photo. (File)

Three Calgarians were arrested and charged following a drug trafficking investigation that was launched last summer following a tip from the public.

The charge against one of the three has since been stayed.

Investigators say a tip to Crime Stoppers submitted in July 2022 helped identify suspected drug dealers.

Following weeks of evidence gathering, officers searched two vehicles as well as a home in the 900 block of 16th Avenue S.W. and another in the 800 block of Fourth Avenue S.W.

The searches resulted in the seizure of:

• A loaded Taurus 9mm handgun with its serial number removed;
• 34 rounds of 9mm ammunition;
• 70 grams of powdered cocaine;
• 16 grams of crack cocaine; and,
• $700 in cash.

Brandon Tallman, 27, and Shawna-Lyn Seto, 29, have been charged with drug trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime in connection with the investigation.

Tallman also faces six gun-related charges.

Kwanele Mpofu, 27, at the time was charged with possession of proceeds of crime.

Mpofu's lawyer, Kim Arial, tells CTV that on June 19, "the Crown directed a stay of proceedings of the charge against Kwanele Mpofu and filed a consent order for the return of the items seized from Mr. Mpofu."

(Correction: An earlier version of this story stated Kwanele Mpofu was also charged with drug trafficking, as the Calgary Police Service originally stated. The CPS has since corrected its information, and CTV has since revised its story. We apologize for any confusion caused.)