(ALERT)

By rdnewsNOW staff

five people charged

Members of A$AP gang, which has central Alberta ties, arrested by ALERT

Mar 14, 2024 | 11:09 AM

Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) has arrested and charged several alleged members of the A$AP street gang with drug and firearms offences.

ALERT notes that A$AP has members spread through northern and central Alberta, including the Red Deer area.

This series of charges, however, revolve around the Wabasca-Desmarais area, about 300 km north of Edmonton.

“This operation makes it evident that the amount of effort and co-operation put forth by our local RCMP officers and ALERT has netted outstanding results,” says Sgt. Colin Thorne, Wabasca RCMP.

“Working together, sharing intelligence, and developing enforcement strategies have made our community safer by taking drugs and guns off the street.”

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ALERT says it was March 5 during a vehicle stop when they seized a loaded sawed-off shotgun and quantities of cocaine and fentanyl.

Two known A$AP gang members, ALERT says, Dakota Auger, 29, and Sheldon Auger, 41, both off Wabasca, were arrested.

(ALERT)

The next day, another traffic stop yielded a seizure of about 100 grams of cocaine. Two of the vehicle’s occupants were again identified as known members of A$AP, ALERT says.

They are Trinity Yellowknee, 26, and Christopher Yellowknee, 26, both of Wabasca.

Kyle Auger, 34, of Wabasca, was also charged with drug offences.

According to ALERT, A$AP stands for Always Strive and Prosper, and, “is a street gang who are spread across northern and central Alberta, and correctional institutions. Their criminal activities are connected to drug trafficking, home invasions, robberies, stolen property, and are known to rely on violence.”

ALERT notes A$AP gang members will often wear grey and white clothing, often stylized with the gang name or slogans to show allegiance to the gang and to intimidate others.

“A$AP isn’t shy about allowing their presence being known in the community, which is used as a tool for recruitment and intimidation,” says Insp. Angela Kemp, ALERT Edmonton. “Meanwhile, their community is struggling with addiction issues that are perpetuated by gang activity.”

ALERT says Bigstone Cree Nation in the Wabasca area declared a local state of emergency in January due in part to the ongoing addiction and crime issues.

According to a CBC report in January, Chief Andy Alook cited multiple suicides and addiction-related deaths have been reported in recent times.

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.

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