Bust in west Edmonton nets $87,000 in drugs, handgun

A search of two homes near WinterburnRoad in west Edmonton last week netted almost $90,000 in drugs and a self-loading .25-calibrehandgun.

The Alberta Law EnforcementResponse Teams (ALERT) searched the two homes with help from RCMP and Edmonton policeon July 10.

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Investigators found thehandgun at one of the homes, police said.

"Getting guns out of the hands of drug dealers is one of ALERT's biggest priorities," Insp. DennisStoreysaid in a news release Monday.

"Not only does it make the immediate neighbourhood safer for the people who live there, but also reduces risks across the entire city."

Officers also seized a cocaine press, a small amount of cash, and amounts of cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine and marijuana.

The drugs have an estimatedstreet value of $87,700, police said.

A 24-year-old man faces nine charges including trafficking and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public.