Calgary police have cut the head off an alleged organized crime syndicate made up of about 500 drug addicts based mainly in the downtown core..Known as “The Family”, the Calgary Police Service said Friday the gang was responsible for more than 80 acts of violence in the last 18 months..“Over the past year, the District 1 General Investigations Unit (GIU) identified what they believe is a network of individuals, known as ‘The Family.’ More than 500 people are believed to be involved or connected to ‘The Family’s’ drug distribution network as either sellers or buyers,” said police in a release..“Over the course of the last 18 months, more than 80 violent incidents are believed to be connected to ‘The Family.’ The group is comprised of individuals with addictions and other vulnerabilities, who are primarily homeless and mostly reside in and around the downtown area.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .“After a complex six-month investigation, search warrants were executed on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, on two vehicles and four homes located in the 0-100 block Lake Sylvan Close S.E., the 500 block of Eighth Street N.E., the 1100 block of Eighth Avenue N.E., and the 1700 block of 26th Avenue S.W. As a result, the following items were seized:.1,006 grams of methamphetamine232 grams of fentanyl233 grams of crack cocaine282 grams of powder cocaine630 grams of GHB$34,791 in cashdrug trafficking paraphernalia such as scalesweapons – crossbows, knives and bear spray.“Lawrence Chukwka Orubor, 52, of Calgary, who police allege is the leader of “The Family,” has been charged with instructing drug trafficking and violent offences for a criminal organization, as well as other related charges. He will next appear in court today, Friday, Nov. 6, 2020.”.And while cracking down on the crooks, CPS has also been lending a helping hand to the vulnerable they come across.. Calgary copsCalgary cops during a sweep of The Family help those more vulnerable. Courtesy CPS .“Simultaneously with the execution of the search warrants, teams of officers and community partners deployed into the downtown core to seek out those who police believe were involved with ‘The Family.’ Eleven people believed to be connected to the distribution of the drugs with outstanding warrants were taken into custody to deal with their current matters before the courts, before being connected with support services.”.“The Calgary Police Service Diversity Resource Team paired up with the Bear Clan Patrol to offer support and resources to more than 100 vulnerable persons in the downtown area. The Elbow River Healing Lodge, the Friendship Centre, the SORCe and Be The Change YYC, were engaged to offer immediate resources and support for the days to come.”.Sgt. Jodi Gach said even though the amount of drugs seized was small, the impact of the operation will be huge.. cops3y police during their sweep of The Family. Courtesy CPS .“This operation sought to address the ongoing drug-related crime and violence throughout the downtown core and we believe we have been able to make a significant impact in addressing these issues,” Gach said..“Although the amount of drugs seized does not appear record-breaking, we believe a large volume of drugs were distributed in small quantities across this vast network, never staying in one place for long..“It was equally important that we worked with our community partners to ensure vulnerable people connected to this organization had support and access to services.”.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
Calgary police have cut the head off an alleged organized crime syndicate made up of about 500 drug addicts based mainly in the downtown core..Known as “The Family”, the Calgary Police Service said Friday the gang was responsible for more than 80 acts of violence in the last 18 months..“Over the past year, the District 1 General Investigations Unit (GIU) identified what they believe is a network of individuals, known as ‘The Family.’ More than 500 people are believed to be involved or connected to ‘The Family’s’ drug distribution network as either sellers or buyers,” said police in a release..“Over the course of the last 18 months, more than 80 violent incidents are believed to be connected to ‘The Family.’ The group is comprised of individuals with addictions and other vulnerabilities, who are primarily homeless and mostly reside in and around the downtown area.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .“After a complex six-month investigation, search warrants were executed on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, on two vehicles and four homes located in the 0-100 block Lake Sylvan Close S.E., the 500 block of Eighth Street N.E., the 1100 block of Eighth Avenue N.E., and the 1700 block of 26th Avenue S.W. As a result, the following items were seized:.1,006 grams of methamphetamine232 grams of fentanyl233 grams of crack cocaine282 grams of powder cocaine630 grams of GHB$34,791 in cashdrug trafficking paraphernalia such as scalesweapons – crossbows, knives and bear spray.“Lawrence Chukwka Orubor, 52, of Calgary, who police allege is the leader of “The Family,” has been charged with instructing drug trafficking and violent offences for a criminal organization, as well as other related charges. He will next appear in court today, Friday, Nov. 6, 2020.”.And while cracking down on the crooks, CPS has also been lending a helping hand to the vulnerable they come across.. Calgary copsCalgary cops during a sweep of The Family help those more vulnerable. Courtesy CPS .“Simultaneously with the execution of the search warrants, teams of officers and community partners deployed into the downtown core to seek out those who police believe were involved with ‘The Family.’ Eleven people believed to be connected to the distribution of the drugs with outstanding warrants were taken into custody to deal with their current matters before the courts, before being connected with support services.”.“The Calgary Police Service Diversity Resource Team paired up with the Bear Clan Patrol to offer support and resources to more than 100 vulnerable persons in the downtown area. The Elbow River Healing Lodge, the Friendship Centre, the SORCe and Be The Change YYC, were engaged to offer immediate resources and support for the days to come.”.Sgt. Jodi Gach said even though the amount of drugs seized was small, the impact of the operation will be huge.. cops3y police during their sweep of The Family. Courtesy CPS .“This operation sought to address the ongoing drug-related crime and violence throughout the downtown core and we believe we have been able to make a significant impact in addressing these issues,” Gach said..“Although the amount of drugs seized does not appear record-breaking, we believe a large volume of drugs were distributed in small quantities across this vast network, never staying in one place for long..“It was equally important that we worked with our community partners to ensure vulnerable people connected to this organization had support and access to services.”.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
