17-10-04 Purple Heroin
17-10-04 Purple Heroin
Calgary, AB,
04
October
2017
|
07:38
America/Denver

Downtown Beat Team operation leads to drug and weapons charges

In an effort to tackle complex crime issues within the core, the District 1 Beat Team has focused their deployment on specific areas of concern within the downtown area. As a result a number of investigative initiatives are in progress, one of which culminated in numerous drug and weapons related charges against one man.

During August and September 2017, police received multiple complaints from several members of the public about a man that was believed to be trafficking drugs within view of an elementary school, a social service agency for newcomers and a daycare. The drug activity was also believed to be linked to numerous other criminal occurrences and social disorder.

A search warrant was executed on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, on a residence in the 1100 block of 10 Street S.W. A man was taken into custody and the residence was searched. The following items were seized as a result:

  • 7.3 grams of heroin,
  • 24 grams of methamphetamine,
  • weight scales and packaging materials,
  • $5,045 Canadian currency,
  • $52 in U.S. currency,
  • 20, 6mm Remington rifle rounds,
  • 12, 12-guage shot gun rounds, and
  • a machete.

The heroin is believed to be a combination of fentanyl, heroin and other unknown substances, although it was being sold as heroin. A photo of the substance that was seized, known as "purple heroin", is attached to this release.

Shameel Nitesh RAM, 37, of Calgary, is charged with trafficking of methamphetamines, possession of methamphetamines for the purpose of trafficking, possession of heroin for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and careless storage of ammunition. He was also arrested on four outstanding unrelated warrants. RAM will next appear in court on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017.

The goal of the District 1 Beat Team is to ensure the vibrancy of Calgary’s downtown by targeting social disorder and crime, while developing relationships with the community in a proactive attempt to prevent and reduce crime.