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nationwide investigation

Red Deer Mounties help bring down national organized crime operation

Aug 21, 2020 | 4:20 PM

Red Deer RCMP were instrumental in a national investigation into an organized crime operation, the detachment shared Friday.

According to Mounties, a number of recent high-value shoplifting thefts in Red Deer recently led to them discovering a nationwide operation based out of Markham, Ontario.

In July, police say, Red Deer RCMP began investigating a theft at a local retail chain.

(Red Deer RCMP)

Connections were then made to six other shoplifting incidents throughout central Alberta from the same chain. Items stolen include beauty products worth more than $20,000.

Red Deer RCMP worked alongside agencies in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, as well as the Canada Border Services Agency.

The investigation has led to seven suspects facing 14 charges for the crimes allegedly committed in Red Deer. The charges relate to theft and organized crime.

In total, more than $250,000 worth of stolen property was recovered from the crime group, with a dozen or more people facing additional charges from multiple jurisdictions across Canada.