Eight firearms seized in organized crime investigation
We’ve laid 36 charges against one man and seized eight unlawfully possessed firearms following a two-month-long investigation by our Organized Crime Enforcement Team.
In December 2022, we began an investigation targeting an individual believed to be connected to organized crime and drug trafficking in Calgary. Throughout our investigation, officers observed activity that was consistent with drug trafficking and identified two residences that were connected.
On Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, police conducted a traffic stop on the suspect and took him into custody without incident. Search warrants were subsequently executed on the suspect’s vehicle and at residences located in the 800 block of 4 Avenue S.W., and the 900 block of Rundleside Drive N.E.
As a result, the following items were seized:
- A stolen and loaded Ruger .22 handgun with a silencer
- A Glock 31 handgun that had been modified to be fully automatic
- A loaded Springfield 9mm handgun
- A loaded Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 380 handgun
- A Sig Sauer P938 9mm handgun
- A Glock 42 380 Auto handgun
- A loaded Taurus .38 Special handgun
- A Glock 43x 9mm handgun
- Several hundred rounds of various ammunition
- A taser
- A collapsible baton
- More than 1.8 kilograms of drugs including cocaine, Fentanyl, Oxycontin, Xanax and cannabis
- Drug production and packaging materials
Thien LUONG, 24, of Calgary has been charged with 36 offences including possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession for use in production of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm obtained by crime, possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition, unauthorized possession of a firearm, careless storage of a firearm, possession of a prohibited device and possession of the proceeds of crime. LUONG was held in custody and will next appear in court on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023.
“In this case, tireless and steadfast investigative work led to the arrest of an individual and the removal of eight unlawful firearms from our streets,” says Acting Staff Sergeant Mike Sushelnitsky of the Calgary Police Service Organized Crime Response Unit. “Organized crime, drug trafficking and the associated violence has no place in our community, and we will continue to target those who are involved.”
All the firearms seized in this investigation were unlawfully possessed by the accused. Seven of the firearms are believed to have been smuggled into Canada and the remaining firearm was determined to be stolen. The investigation remains ongoing to determine the originating source of the seized firearms.
Addressing gun violence continues to be a priority for our Service. Through investigation, prevention, and enforcement activities we have coordinated our resources to reduce victimization and enhance community safety.
These efforts rely on strong community support. If you have information that could help an investigation, such as witnessing suspicious behaviour or vehicles, or information about the unlawful presence of firearms in our city, please contact police. Even something small can have a great impact on an investigation.
Anyone with information 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
Case #CA22500229/5150