RCMP has seized a cache of firearms from a small organized group within the larger Coutts protest..“Information was received that this group had access to a cache of firearms with a large quantity of ammunition,” said RCMP in the release Monday morning..“The group was said to have a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade..“As a result of this investigation, the Alberta RCMP executed a search warrant during the early hours of Feb. 14, on three trailers associated to this criminal organization.”.Organizers of the protest and blockade at Coutts said they are not associated with this group in any way and “condemn their actions 100%.”.“We don’t know who these individuals are or where they are from,” said Marko Van Huigenbos, one of the main organizers at the blockade..Premier Jason Kenney thanked RCMP officers during a Monday press conference for the “diligent investigation and successful execution of this enforcement action” and indicated there will be “more widespread enforcement.”.The investigation has resulted in the arrest of 11 people..RCMP said it seized 13 long guns, handguns, multiple sets of body armour, a machete, a large quantity of ammunition and high-capacity magazines..RCMP said a standoff happened with the small segment of the protest at 8 p.m. that led to a large farm tractor and semi-truck attempting to “ram a police vehicle.”.“The police officer was able to reposition and avoid the collision. RCMP officers followed the suspects to a location where the protesters were gathered,” said RCMP..“The driver of the tractor was identified and we are actively working to locate him so he can be taken into custody. The Alberta RCMP have seized the farm tractor and semi-truck involved in this incident.”.Kenney said the small group with “violent intent” has been identified and detained..“Now that the RCMP has successfully resolved this potential threat, they will proceed, I’m informed, with enforcement against others who are involved in the blockade at and around Coutts..“The Government of Alberta has successfully procured all of the necessary heavy equipment and service to operate that equipment to assist the police in removing commercial vehicles and other vehicles that may be blocking our highways.”.Kenney said this protest has been an inconvenience to thousands of truckers, “but the ongoing blockade of our borders and our highways at Coutts will no longer be tolerated..“And, now that this very delicate security challenge has been resolved successfully by the police, as I say, broader enforcement measures will commence and the Government of Alberta will be there to support that every step of the way.”.Van Huigenbos said he and others involved at the Coutts border blockade “are taking the security of the protest very seriously” and said their goal is to maintain a peaceful protest..“They will try to associate us with this group, but in no way is this what we stand for,” said Van Huigenbos..“We have no connection with this group.”.Van Huigenbos said truckers plan to stay in protest at the border..“We’re here peacefully and will remain peaceful,” he said..RCMP said their primary goal is continued safety for the public and its officers and are encouraging all participants involved in “this illegal action to leave immediately or relocate to the designated site for the legal protest.”.More to come….Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
RCMP has seized a cache of firearms from a small organized group within the larger Coutts protest..“Information was received that this group had access to a cache of firearms with a large quantity of ammunition,” said RCMP in the release Monday morning..“The group was said to have a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade..“As a result of this investigation, the Alberta RCMP executed a search warrant during the early hours of Feb. 14, on three trailers associated to this criminal organization.”.Organizers of the protest and blockade at Coutts said they are not associated with this group in any way and “condemn their actions 100%.”.“We don’t know who these individuals are or where they are from,” said Marko Van Huigenbos, one of the main organizers at the blockade..Premier Jason Kenney thanked RCMP officers during a Monday press conference for the “diligent investigation and successful execution of this enforcement action” and indicated there will be “more widespread enforcement.”.The investigation has resulted in the arrest of 11 people..RCMP said it seized 13 long guns, handguns, multiple sets of body armour, a machete, a large quantity of ammunition and high-capacity magazines..RCMP said a standoff happened with the small segment of the protest at 8 p.m. that led to a large farm tractor and semi-truck attempting to “ram a police vehicle.”.“The police officer was able to reposition and avoid the collision. RCMP officers followed the suspects to a location where the protesters were gathered,” said RCMP..“The driver of the tractor was identified and we are actively working to locate him so he can be taken into custody. The Alberta RCMP have seized the farm tractor and semi-truck involved in this incident.”.Kenney said the small group with “violent intent” has been identified and detained..“Now that the RCMP has successfully resolved this potential threat, they will proceed, I’m informed, with enforcement against others who are involved in the blockade at and around Coutts..“The Government of Alberta has successfully procured all of the necessary heavy equipment and service to operate that equipment to assist the police in removing commercial vehicles and other vehicles that may be blocking our highways.”.Kenney said this protest has been an inconvenience to thousands of truckers, “but the ongoing blockade of our borders and our highways at Coutts will no longer be tolerated..“And, now that this very delicate security challenge has been resolved successfully by the police, as I say, broader enforcement measures will commence and the Government of Alberta will be there to support that every step of the way.”.Van Huigenbos said he and others involved at the Coutts border blockade “are taking the security of the protest very seriously” and said their goal is to maintain a peaceful protest..“They will try to associate us with this group, but in no way is this what we stand for,” said Van Huigenbos..“We have no connection with this group.”.Van Huigenbos said truckers plan to stay in protest at the border..“We’re here peacefully and will remain peaceful,” he said..RCMP said their primary goal is continued safety for the public and its officers and are encouraging all participants involved in “this illegal action to leave immediately or relocate to the designated site for the legal protest.”.More to come….Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
