All of the accused in a recent drug bust allegedly related to the Red Scorpion gang made their first court appearances in Red Deer last week.
Robin Joseph Stewart, 52, Cory James Lesperance, 29, Nicholas David James White, 21, and Amber McLeod, 23 appeared in Provincial Court last Thursday.
Lesperance, originally from B.C., is an alleged 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.
He was arrested at a residence last month in the Balmoral Heights neighbourhood just outside Red Deer city limits, where two firearms were found, along with a large amount of drugs.
Lesperance will return to court Aug. 7th.
In addition to the Red Deer County home, search warrants were executed at a Calgary home and residence in Airdire. 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 marihuana, 80 grams of psilocybin, 13 vials equaling 130 milliliters of anabolic steroids, a cocaine conversion lab, scales, packaging, and other drug paraphernalia, a loaded semi-automatic handgun, a stolen shotgun with ammunition, three replica handguns, $8,955 in cash and two vehicles.
White has been charged with possession of cocaine, psilocybin and magic mushrooms for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000 and breaching his recognizance by being in possession of a controlled substance.
White will re-appear in court Aug. 14th.
Stewart has been charged with four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, one count of unauthorized possession of a firearm, one count of possession of property over $5,000 and one count of possession of a restricted firearm.
McLeod has been charged with three counts of trafficking and possession of stolen property.
Federal crown prosecutor David Inglis stated that all of the accused will be tried separately.
Police say 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.
Members of the public who have concern about gang activity in their community can contact police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
jswan@reddeerexpress.com
– with files from Erin Fawcett
