(rdnewsNOW)

By Sheldon Spackman

January 2024 Preliminary Hearing

Preliminary hearing scheduled for Red Deer man in local drug trafficking investigation

Dec 1, 2023 | 2:15 PM

A preliminary hearing is scheduled next year for one of three people charged in a Red Deer drug trafficking investigation, which also turned up four firearms, including an AK-47 rifle.

Brandon Caleb Robertson, 28, will see if his case has enough evidence to go to trial on Jan. 5, 2024, in Red Deer Court of Justice.

Three people were charged, including an armed robbery suspect.

ALERT Red Deer’s organized crime team and the RCMP’s Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) say they collaborated on the year-long investigation, which concluded with arrests in late September 2023. The investigation resulted in more than $325,000 worth of drugs seized.

The three people arrested included a suspect believed to have been responsible for the Innisfail Super 8 robbery that occurred on May 29, 2023, says ALERT.

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Brandon Robertson was arrested for the robbery-related offences on June 6, 2023. ALERT alleges Robertson was also involved in drug trafficking, and despite his arrest, the investigation proceeded and additional suspects were identified.

Three Red Deer homes were ultimately searched, resulting in a large amount of drugs and firearms being seized, including:

• AK-47 rifle with magazine;
• Three handguns and prohibited magazines;
• 1,573 grams of fentanyl;
• 78 grams of methamphetamine;
• 34 grams of cocaine;
• 265 grams of a cocaine buffing agent; and
• 32 oxycodone and morphine pills.

ALERT says the AK-47, which is banned in Canada, was seized from an apartment in the Clearview Ridge neighbourhood along with a various amount of ammunition. How the semi-automatic rifle was acquired is being further investigated. Meanwhile, one of the handguns seized was confirmed to have been previously stolen in the Vermillion, Alta. area, say officials with ALERT.

“A seizure like this shows the nexus of violence and the drug trade. Taking firearms out of the hands of organized crime prevents anyone from being further victimized and ensures our community remains a safe place,” said Insp. Brad Lundeen, ALERT T the time of the arrests.

“Officers from ALERT and RCMP’s Central Alberta Crime Reduction Team worked seamlessly to identify and target a criminal group actively engaged in robbery and drug trafficking in our province. The abundance of weapons seized further identifies the risk that these individuals pose to our community,” added Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, RCMP.

Brandon Robertson is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, numerous firearms offences, and failure to comply with release conditions.

Adrian Lazzaro, 41, is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking. His matter returns to Red Deer Court of Justice on Dec. 7, 2023.

While Nicholas Wales, 26, is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of an unauthorized firearm, and possession of an unauthorized device. His matter returns to Red Deer Court of Justice on Jan. 11, 2024.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is described as a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.

Related: AK-47 seized in Red Deer drug trafficking investigation

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