Police seize loaded pistol, $115K in drugs in southwest Calgary bust
Calgary police say charges have been laid against a 25-year-old man in connection with a drug trafficking operation that officers had been investigating for the past eight months.
Officials say police first identified an individual in September 2021 who they say was trafficking drugs in Mission.
On May 17, police executed a search warrant on a home in the 100 block of 26th Avenue S.W.
During the operation, police found a number of pieces of contraband:
- A loaded, semi-automatic pistol;
- 170.1 grams of crack cocaine;
- 334.7 grams of powder cocaine;
- 304 grams of methamphetamine;
- 165 grams of fentanyl; and
- $7,605 in cash.
Police say the drugs have an estimated street value of approximately $115,000.
Juan Ruiz Durango, 25, of Calgary, is charged with:
- Three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking;
- Possession of the proceeds of crime;
- Careless use/storage of a firearm;
- Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized;
- Possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition;
- Possession of a firearm knowing that the serial number on it had been altered; and
- Possession of a weapon contrary to prohibition order.
Police say the seizure of the firearm is a positive step toward ending the rise of gun violence in Calgary.
"Addressing gun violence continues to be a priority for police," said Staff Sgt. Travis Baker of the Calgary Police Service general investigations unit in a release. "Gun violence doesn't just impact those involved in crime – it puts our entire community at risk and we are pleased that we were able to get this restricted firearm and drugs off the street."
Officials say that public information also helped lead police to make arrests.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.