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$3.6 million in meth seized by Border Enforcement Team at Courts crossing

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News release from Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET)

Integrated Border Enforcement Team lay charges for drug importation following $3.6 million seizure

The Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET), a joint force operation between the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Calgary Police Service (CPS), has charged a Calgary resident for drug importation and trafficking.

On Feb. 19, 2023, CBSA officers discovered and seized approximately 300 kg of methamphetamine following a secondary examination of a commercial transport vehicle at the Coutts border crossing. The drugs, which have an approximate wholesale value of $3.6 million, were hidden in several boxes in the rear of the vehicle.

On Feb. 20, 2023, Paramjit Laroyia, 49, a resident of Calgary, was charged with the following offences:

  • Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
  • Importation of a Controlled Substance contrary to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and,
  • Smuggling into Canada contrary to section 159(1) of the Customs Act.

Laroyia is scheduled to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on March 23, 2023.

“This seizure serves as an important reminder of IBET’s effectiveness in disrupting drug smuggling operations. By intercepting these drugs, we have diverted millions of dollars in illegal profits and prevented the distribution of methamphetamine to our communities.”

  • Supt. Sean Boser, OIC of Federal Policing – Calgary

“CBSA officers are committed to detecting and intercepting illegal narcotics and other dangerous goods from entering Canada. This significant methamphetamine seizure, one of the Agency’s largest in the last five years, is a great example of our officers’ resolve in keeping dangerous drugs out of our communities.

  • Director Benjamin Tame, Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan District, CBSA

“The collaboration between the members of IBET has been effective in reducing the amount of drugs and crime in our communities. Seizures like this one highlight IBET’s importance and its impact on the safety of Calgarians and Albertans.”

  • Supt. Cory Dayley, Criminal Operations and Intelligence Division, CPS

IBET’s mandate is to enhance border integrity and security along the shared border, between designated ports of entry, by identifying, investigating and interdicting persons, organizations and goods that are involved in criminal activities.

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Alberta

Made in Alberta! Province makes it easier to support local products with Buy Local program

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Show your Alberta side. Buy Local.

When the going gets tough, Albertans stick together. That’s why Alberta’s government is launching a new campaign to benefit hard-working Albertans.

Global uncertainty is threatening the livelihoods of hard-working Alberta farmers, ranchers, processors and their families. The ‘Buy Local’ campaign, recently launched by Alberta’s government, encourages consumers to eat, drink and buy local to show our unified support for the province’s agriculture and food industry.

The government’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign encourages consumers to buy products from Alberta’s hard-working farmers, ranchers and food processors that produce safe, nutritious food for Albertans, Canadians and the world.

“It’s time to let these hard-working Albertans know we have their back. Now, more than ever, we need to shop local and buy made-in-Alberta products. The next time you are grocery shopping or go out for dinner or a drink with your friends or family, support local to demonstrate your Alberta pride. We are pleased tariffs don’t impact the ag industry right now and will keep advocating for our ag industry.”

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

Alberta’s government supports consumer choice. We are providing tools to help folks easily identify Alberta- and Canadian-made foods and products. Choosing local products keeps Albertans’ hard-earned dollars in our province. Whether it is farm-fresh vegetables, potatoes, honey, craft beer, frozen food or our world-renowned beef, Alberta has an abundance of fresh foods produced right on our doorstep.

Quick facts

  • This summer, Albertans can support local at more than 150 farmers’ markets across the province and meet the folks who make, bake and grow our food.
  • In March 2023, the Alberta government launched the ‘Made in Alberta’ voluntary food and beverage labelling program to support local agriculture and food sectors.
  • Through direct connections with processors, the program has created the momentum to continue expanding consumer awareness about the ‘Made in Alberta’ label to help shoppers quickly identify foods and beverages produced in our province.
  • Made in Alberta product catalogue website

 

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Alberta

Province to expand services provided by Alberta Sheriffs: New policing option for municipalities

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Expanding municipal police service options

Proposed amendments would help ensure Alberta’s evolving public safety needs are met while also giving municipalities more options for local policing.

As first announced with the introduction of the Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, Alberta’s government is considering creating a new independent agency police service to assume the police-like duties currently performed by Alberta Sheriffs. If passed, Bill 49 would lay additional groundwork for the new police service.

Proposed amendments to the Police Act recognize the unique challenges faced by different communities and seek to empower local governments to adopt strategies that effectively respond to their specific safety concerns, enhancing overall public safety across the province.

If passed, Bill 49 would specify that the new agency would be a Crown corporation with an independent board of directors to oversee its day-to-day operations. The new agency would be operationally independent from the government, consistent with all police services in Alberta. Unlike the Alberta Sheriffs, officers in the new police service would be directly employed by the police service rather than by the government.

“With this bill, we are taking the necessary steps to address the unique public safety concerns in communities across Alberta. As we work towards creating an independent agency police service, we are providing an essential component of Alberta’s police framework for years to come. Our aim is for the new agency is to ensure that Albertans are safe in their communities and receive the best possible service when they need it most.”

Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

Additional amendments would allow municipalities to select the new agency as their local police service once it becomes fully operational and the necessary standards, capacity and frameworks are in place. Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring the new agency works collaboratively with all police services to meet the province’s evolving public safety needs and improve law enforcement response times, particularly in rural communities. While the RCMP would remain the official provincial police service, municipalities would have a new option for their local policing needs.

Once established, the agency would strengthen Alberta’s existing policing model and complement the province’s current police services, which include the RCMP, Indigenous police services and municipal police. It would help fill gaps and ensure law enforcement resources are deployed efficiently across the province.

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