Edmonton authorities have arrested a wanted gang member who was found in possession of a prohibited firearm.
The arrest was carried out by ALERT’s Integrated Gang Enforcement Team (IGET) on last Friday in the Alberta Avenue neighbourhood.
Francis Boysis, a 35-year-old self-identified member of the A$AP street gang, was apprehended after attempting to flee through a basement window.
He was wanted on a Canada-wide apprehension and suspension warrant as a federal parolee.
Upon his arrest, officers found a .22-caliber rifle, which he was prohibited from possessing due to multiple lifetime firearms bans stemming from previous convictions.
“A prohibited firearm in the hands of a wanted gang member would have posed a serious community safety threat. But our intelligence-led model was proven effective and we were able to make a quick arrest,” said Insp. Angela Kemp of ALERT.
The arrest was made possible through intelligence from Edmonton parole officials, with additional assistance from the Edmonton Police Service and the RCMP.
The A$AP gang, which stands for Always Strive and Prosper, is known to operate across northern and central Alberta as well as in correctional institutions. Authorities link the gang to drug trafficking, home invasions, robberies, and violent crimes.
Boysis faces multiple charges, including:
Careless use of a firearm;
Possession of a prohibited device;
Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized;
Possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition readily accessible;
Uttering threats;
Use of a firearm while committing an indictable offence; and
Possession of a prohibited firearm (x7).
He remains in custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for February 26.
ALERT, which is funded by the Alberta Government, is composed of elite