MEDICINE HAT, AB — Police have already seized more guns so far this year in relation to drug investigations than in all of 2016.
Last year, 20 firearms were seized in 13 separate drug investigations.
So far in 2017, 22 guns have been seized in nine drug busts.
Inspector Joe West with the Medicine Hat Police Service said the increase of methamphetamine over the last couple years has likely led to the increase.
“It comes with a more dangerous culture,” said West. “I think with the introduction of methamphetamine into the city, we’ve seen increased violence and we’ve seen increased firearms use or firearms possession.”
West said the weapons are often used as intimidation tools or to give the criminals who use them a feeling of security.
As more guns come into play in drug investigations it makes the drug trade more dangerous posing a risk to the community and officers who investigate the incidents.
“Anytime there’s a possibility of shots in the city, there’s a danger to the public,” West said. “Right now I think that danger is mostly contained to those in the drug subculture themselves, but certainly we have a concern for the safety of the community as well.”
When it comes to they type of firearms being seized, West says most are pretty generic.
“We do see restricted weapons, but the large majority are unrestricted firearms that can be purchased at a lot of retailers.” he said.
West said police don’t always know if the guns they seize were purchased or stolen.
Police are reminding residents to ensure their weapons are properly stored and secured so they don’t get stolen or wind up in the wrong hands.
