A member of the Red Scorpions gang and three associate members have been arrested following a coordinated series of search warrants in Red Deer County, Airdrie, and Calgary in Alberta.
Red Deer RCMP, Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT), Calgary Police Services, and Airdrie RCMP members executed the search warrants on July 23. The investigation focused on the Red Scorpions drug trafficking operation and their infiltration of the Alberta market.
Police said Cory James Lesperance, a 29-year-old man originally from British Columbia, is a member of the Red Scorpions and is alleged to be at the centre of a drug trafficking network operating in Alberta. Lesperance faces a total of 14 drug and weapons related charges as the result of this investigation.
Lesperance was arrested at a residence in the Balmoral Heights neighbourhood just outside Red Deer city limits, where two firearms were found, along with a large amount of drugs. Lesperance is currently bound by two firearm prohibitions and a recognizance order stemming from a previous drug and weapons investigation in November 2013.
Three Red Scorpions associates were also arrested in the search warrants: Robin Joseph Stewart, 52, faces eight charges; Nicholas David James White, 21, faces six charges; and Amber McLeod, 23, faces four charges. Additional charges and arrests may also be forthcoming.
In addition to the Red Deer County home, search warrants were executed at a Calgary home in the Thorncliffe neighbourhood and a home in Airdire’s Channelside area. The search warrants were executed by RCMP “K” Division Emergency Response Team and CPS Tactical team.
The search warrants yielded a number of firearms and drugs, including:
* 512 grams of methamphetamine;
* 517 grams of cocaine;
* 52 grams of heroin;
* 264 grams of marijuana
* 80 grams of psilocybin;
* 13 vials equaling 130 milliliters of anabolic steroids;
* A cocaine conversion lab;
* Scales, packaging, and other drug paraphernalia;
* Loaded semi-automatic handgun;
* Stolen shotgun with ammunition;
* Three replica handguns;
* $8,955 cash proceeds of crime and two vehicles.
The investigation was initiated in June by the Red Deer RCMP Street Team and expedited between the partnering agencies to address public safety concerns relating to gang activity.
