Major organized crime arrests connected to 2015 shootings
The Calgary Police Service Major Crimes Section, in conjunction with several other areas of the Service, have charged eight men – some with multiple murder attempts - in connection with a string of high-profile shootings that plagued the northeast part of the city last year.
The men also face charges in connection with carrying out these shootings in association with a criminal organization, as well as selling drugs for the benefit of a criminal organization. Under the Criminal Code, these charges allege the acts of violence were carried out with the knowledge that the organization would benefit from these crimes.
Between January 2015 and May 2016, dozens of shootings occurred between two groups of men connected to organized crime and the drug trade.
Calgary saw 95 shootings in 2015, double that of 2014, with more than half related to organized crime. Fifteen of those shootings resulted in homicides.
These shootings predominantly occurred in the northeast quadrant of Calgary and involved a dispute over drugs, with the use of guns to resolve the issue.
With public safety as the Service’s primary goal, a major investigation and suppression effort began. Sworn and civilian members from across the Service worked in coordination to bring these incidents to an end.
On Tuesday, May 3, 2016, police arrested three men without incident and warrants were executed on three homes in Rundle, Sherwood and Pineridge.
Charged are:
- Barakat AMER, 20, of Calgary
- Instructing commission of offence for criminal organization
- Instructing an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organization
- Eight counts of attempted murder, involving incidents on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015 and Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015
- Tarek EL-RAFIE, 24, of Calgary
- Commission of offence for criminal organization
- Commission of an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organization
- 10 counts of attempted murder involving incidents on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015 and Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015
- Abdul Rahman Ali AMER, 19, of Calgary
- Commission of offence for criminal organization
- Commission of an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organization
- Four counts of attempted murder involving incidents on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, and Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015
- Intentionally discharge firearm while being reckless as to the life or safety of another person on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015
On Thursday, May 5, 2016, two men currently in custody were arrested and charged by CPS.
- Talal Mohamad AMER, 23, of Calgary
- Instructing commission of offence for criminal organization
- Instructing an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organization
- Six counts of attempted murder involving incidents on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 and Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015
- Bader AMER, 21, of Calgary
- Commission of offence for criminal organization
- Commission of an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organization
- Discharge a firearm with intent to wound involving an incident on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015
- Obstruct justice by disguising a vehicle used in a crime, involving an incident on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015
- Accessory after the fact to murder of David QUACH on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015
On Monday, May 9, 2016, three men were taken into custody following coordinated arrests in the early morning hours.
- Haitham RAMADAN, 24, of Calgary
- Commission of an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organization
- Participate in an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organization
- Trafficking in a controlled substance – fentanyl
- Saro PIREH, 19, of Calgary
- Commission of an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organization
- Participate in an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organization
- Trafficking in a controlled substance – fentanyl
- Shaheen Assad PIREH, 18, of Calgary
- Conspiracy to commit an offence of trafficking
- Participate in an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organization
The CPS continues to ask the public to be vigilant, and to call police if they have any information about crimes in our city. This can be done anonymously through Crime Stoppers, or by calling our non-emergency line.
The Service also has a website – GRIP or Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention – where parents, members of the public and those involved in this high-risk lifestyle can go for help. (www.cpsgrip.com).