An Eckville resident and Rocky Mountain House resident were charged with weapons trafficking and the possession of illegal firearms.

In September 2022, a suspicious package addressed to an Eckville residence had been intercepted. An examination of the package’s contents revealed 10 Polymer80 lower Glock handgun kits. Two additional packages, which contained 9 polymer lowers for AR-15 rifles and one upper receiver with a barrel, were intercepted by CBSA in April 2023.

Over the duration of eight months, The Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) conducted a comprehensive investigation that led to search warrants being executed in Eckville, Rocky Mountain House, Alta. and Calgary on May 3, 2023. As a result of this investigation, RCMP seized numerous prohibited handguns, long barrel guns, and evidence of manufacturing various firearms.

Aaron Mckervey, 30, a resident of Eckville, was arrested and charged with:

·         Importing or Exporting Knowing it is Unauthorized contrary to section 103(1)(b) of the Criminal Code (x2);

·         Weapons Trafficking contrary to section 99(1) of the Criminal Code (x2);

·         Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized contrary to section 92(1)(b) of the Criminal Code;

·         Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized contrary to section 92(1) of the Criminal Code (x3);

·         Possession for Purpose of Weapons Trafficking contrary to section 100(1) of the Criminal Code (x2);

·         Making Automatic Firearm contrary to section 102(1) of the Criminal Code (x2);

·         Contravention of Storage Regulations contrary to section 86(2) of the Criminal Code; and,

·         Smuggling into Canada contrary to section 159 of the Customs Act (x3).

Alpat Sonnenberg, 63, a resident of Rocky Mountain House, was arrested and charged with:

·         Weapons Trafficking contrary to section 99(1) of the Criminal Code;

·         Possession for the Purpose of Weapons Trafficking contrary to section 100(1) of the Criminal Code;

·         Possession of Weapon Obtained by Commission of Office contrary to section 96(3) of the Criminal Code;

·         Contravention of Storage Regulations contrary to section 86(2) of the Criminal Code;

·         Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition contrary to section 95(1) of the Criminal Code; and,

·         Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized contrary to section 92(1) of the Criminal Code.

Koty Herndon, 38, a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:

·         Unauthorized Possession in Motor Vehicle contrary to section 94(1) of the Criminal Code;

·         Weapons Trafficking contrary to section 99(1) of the Criminal Code;

·         Possession for Purpose of Weapons Trafficking contrary to section 100(1) of the Criminal Code;

·         Possession of Weapon Obtained by Commission of Offence contrary to section 96 of the Criminal Code;

·         Contravention of Storage Regulations contrary to section 86(2) of the Criminal Code;

·         Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized contrary to section 92(1) of the Criminal Code;

·         Possession of Prohibited Weapon, Device or Ammunition Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized contrary to section 92(2) of              the Criminal Code; and,

·         Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition contrary to section 95(1) of the Criminal Code;

Mckervey is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on May 23, 2023, while Sonnenberg is scheduled to appear on May 24, 2023, and Herndon is scheduled to appear on June 9, 2023.