Sixteen people have been charged with various drug related offences as a result of extensive criminal investigation by the RCMP.

The investigation was conducted by the Red Deer City RCMP Street Team, Organized Crime Section, Crime Reduction Unit, and Edmonton ALERT’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit. The investigation and subsequent charges has disrupted two local chapters of nationally identified organized crime groups operating within the City.

Both crime groups have gang members that have recently relocated to Red Deer. These organized crime groups are responsible for numerous violent crimes within Red Deer including robberies, kidnappings, shootings and assaults. Canada Border Services and Revenue Canada are also assisting with the ongoing investigation.

“We have seen an increase in organized crime in the City,” said RCMP Cpl. Kathe Deheer. “This sends a strong message to people that we know about this organized crime and we are making every effort to disrupt it. We continue to work on it.”

She added it is not a surprise, as Red Deer is a growing city, that there is an increase in this type of crime.

“Of course with any growing city, there is a growth in crime. I think our location adds to that as well. We are located on a major artery in between the City of Calgary and the City of Edmonton.”

Charged in this investigation is Achein Lazro, 28, of Red Deer. He has been charged with two counts of cocaine trafficking and remains in custody pending bail. He is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on Aug. 9th.

Ryan Monias, 21, of Red Deer, has also been charged with one count of cocaine trafficking and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking. He was remanded in custody and his next appearance in Red Deer Provincial Court is on Aug. 3rd.

Gabriel Agotic, 28, of Red Deer, has been charged with one count of cocaine trafficking. He was released to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on Aug. 2nd. Justin Poteet, 18, of Red Deer, has also been charged with one count of heroin trafficking and one count of possession of heroin. He was remanded in custody and his next appearance in Red Deer Provincial Court is on Sept. 13th.

Lee Jay Johnson, 28, of Pigeon Lake, has been charged with one count of cocaine trafficking. He remains in custody pending bail and is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on Aug. 9th. And Navarone Oldpan (also known as Wapass), 28, of Hobbema has also been charged with one count of cocaine trafficking. He was remanded in custody to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on Aug. 9th.

Anthony Cromastey, 23, of Winnipeg, has been charged with one count of cocaine trafficking. He was remanded in custody to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on Aug. 2. Mayom Mayom, 24, of Red Deer, has also been charged with one count of cocaine trafficking. He was released on bail and is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on Aug. 9th.

Ojullo Ojullo, 18, of Calgary, has been charged with one count of cocaine trafficking. He was remanded in custody to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court Aug. 16th. And Tyler Dahl, 19, of Red Deer, has been charged with one count of heroin trafficking. He remains in custody pending bail and is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on Aug. 2nd.

Achuil Chol, 25, of Red Deer, has been charged with one count of cocaine trafficking. He was remanded in custody to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on Aug. 3rd. And Zachary Ovid, 19, of Winnipeg, has been charged with two counts of cocaine trafficking and one count of heroin trafficking. He appeared in Red Deer Provincial Court on July 27th.

Also charged are Marce Kusha, 31, of Abbottsford. He has been charged with three counts of cocaine trafficking. Vu Khac Diep, 27, of Calgary, has also been charged with two counts of cocaine trafficking. And Angelo Guot, 24, of Red Deer, has been charged with two counts of cocaine trafficking as well as Jeanette Dupont, 38, of Lacombe, has been charged with one count of cocaine trafficking.

Warrants for Kusha, Diep, Guot and Dupont have been obtained.

efawcett@reddeerexpress.com