(Maskwacis RCMP/ supplied)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Crime

Maskwacis RCMP seize illegal firearms

Jun 17, 2025 | 12:37 PM

The first two weeks of June have been busy for the RCMP in Maskwacis as they’ve continued to crack down on gun crime.

This includes multiple calls for service that resulted in the seizure of several illegal firearms.

Most notably, multiple arrests were made on June 11 including an intoxicated male who was observed by police carrying a sawed off shotgun.

The suspect was immediately arrested by police and has charges pending for four weapons offences. He was released from custody and scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin on Aug. 14.

That same day, police saw a loaded shotgun in a vehicle while they conducted a traffic stop with a driver who’s license was suspended.

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A 32-year-old male resident of Maskwacis, was arrested after a brief foot pursuit and was charged with four weapons offences, resident arrest, and three counts of possession of a firearms contrary to a prohibition order.

He was taken before a Justice of the Peace and was released. Hs next court date is scheduled for June 26 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Maskwacis.

In 2024, Maskwacis RCMP seized 84 illegal firearms, which has marked a 62 per cent increase from 2023.

Police say the community has one of the highest crime severity indexes in the province and firearm violence represents a large portion of these statistics.

“Through community and leadership support, the Maskwacis RCMP have had success in obtaining information on illegal firearms,” as stated in a media release. “To maintain community safety and security it is important that these relationships are sustained and prohibited firearms are reported to the RCMP.”

If you have any information regarding the origins of these firearms please contact the Maskwacis RCMP at 780-585-4600. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play. To contact RCMP non-emergency line will in any Alberta RCMP Jurisdiction call 310-RCMP (7267).