Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team
Stolen handgun seized during Red Deer drug arrests
News release from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT)
ALERT seized a loaded handgun during the arrest of suspected drug dealers in Red Deer. The handgun, which had previously been reported as stolen, was seized alongside cocaine, fentanyl, and other prohibited items.
The seizure took place on April 4, 2024 when ALERT’s Integrated Gang Enforcement Team observed a suspected drug transaction involving two vehicles in a parking lot along Gaetz Avenue. Two vehicles were pulled over and the five occupants were arrested.
One of the suspected drug dealers was found carrying the loaded handgun tucked into his waistband. The handgun was determined to have previously been reported as stolen from the Edmonton area.
“Although gang-related violence may seem specifically targeted to those involved in organized criminality; the negative impact of this victimization is far more reaching and effects all Albertans. The solution lays within the integrated approach of our ALERT teams to suppress, disrupt and dismantle organized crime,” said Insp. Angela Kemp, ALERT Edmonton.
The full search of both vehicles resulted in ALERT seizing the following items:
- Loaded, stolen handgun;
- 45 grams of cocaine;
- 2 grams of fentanyl;
- 3 fentanyl patches;
- GPS tracking device;
- Portable hacking device;
- Brass knuckles;
- Gloves and balaclavas; and
- $5,100 cash.
The handgun will be submitted for further analysis and examination by ALERT’s Provincial Firearms Solutions Lab.
The five suspects arrested face a combined 25 charges related to drug, firearms, and weapons offences:
- Makenzie Giles, 27-year-old from Red Deer;
- Martin Heathen, 30-year-old from Onion Lake, Sask.;
- Jordan McMartin, 22-year-old from Red Deer;
- Ethan Frenette, 21-year-old from Red Deer; and
- Madison Halvorson, 23-year-old from Red Deer.
McMartin was also found to be wanted on several warrants in relation to offences in the Red Deer area.
Anyone with information about this investigation, or 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 a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.
News release from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT)
ALERT has located and dismantled an alleged fentanyl superlab that was operating outside of Valleyview, Alta. The superlab is estimated to have regularly produced bulk quantities of fentanyl for years and was a significant source of fentanyl in Alberta and Western Canada.
ALERT, along with the RCMP’s Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Response Team (CLEAR), executed a search warrant at the rural lab location on October 2, 2024. Four days were spent searching the property and dismantling the highly sophisticated lab.
ALERT will provide full details via a news conference on Friday, November 8, 2024.
ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.
News release from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT)
An Edmonton man is facing child sexual exploitation charges following an Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) investigation.
In August 2024, ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit received information from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) that linked an Edmonton man to an investigation in Florida. Trevor Smiley, 54 years old, is charged with making, transmitting, accessing and possessing child pornography.
Smiley had allegedly been in conversation and shared child sexual exploitation material with Florida suspect, Jason Davis, 41 years old of Cooper City, Fla. Davis was arrested on July 31, 2024 and appeared in court the following day as part of an HSI and South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children taskforce investigation.
The U.S. investigation allegedly uncovered large-scale, online group chats dedicated to sharing images and videos showing the sexual abuse of children. The investigation also led to the arrest of a Massachusetts man.
ICE arrested Smiley on August 28, 2024 and executed a search warrant at his Edmonton home. Various electronic devices were seized for forensic analysis.
“It’s incredibly concerning to see these acts happening in our community, and even more so when we understand the connections of the people involved. Our forensic technicians are combing through the seized devices and while our investigation continues, we’re asking that anyone that has information to come forward,” said Sgt. Randy Poon, ALERT ICE.
Anyone with information this investigation or any child exploitation situation is asked to contact their local police, or to report their concern anonymously to Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-TIPS).
Smiley’s next scheduled court appearance is on September 5, 2024.
ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.
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