Update from Red Deer RCMP, 3:00pm, January 31st: Red Deer RCMP seized cocaine, methamphetamine and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking in two search warrants at a Riverside Meadows apartment building yesterday, taking seven people into custody.

The searches were the culmination of a drug trafficking investigation by Red Deer RCMP General Investigations section that began on January 10 and included a simultaneous search warrant on a Sylvan Lake residence yesterday by Sylvan Lake and Red Deer RCMP; that search warrant resulted in RCMP seizing about three pounds of marijuana and approximately $2,000 in cash as proceeds of crime, and taking two people into custody.

During the search warrants in Red Deer, RCMP officers discovered what appeared to be a homemade explosive device; they evacuated the building until the RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit could attend and render the device safe.

Two of the people taken into custody in Red Deer yesterday have since been released and RCMP continue to investigate. Between the Red Deer and Sylvan Lake arrests, charges are pending against seven individuals; charges will vary among those arrested but will include drug possession, trafficking and charges related to the explosive device. RCMP will issue an update with more details about the drugs seized, the names of those charged and details of the charges against them once those charges have been sworn before the courts.

If you have information about this or any drug trafficking investigation, contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com. If your information leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward 

UPDATE FROM RED DEER RCMP, 3:27pm: Red Deer RCMP and RCMP Explosives Device Unit (EDU) have completed their work at the Riverside Meadows residence and have lifted the evacuation alert. EDU removed the suspicious object, which appeared to be a homemade explosive device, from the residence and safely disassembled it. Preliminary tests of the device showed positive for explosive material.  

RCMP thank area residents for their cooperation and patience while police evacuated and contained the area to ensure the safety of the public.

The device was discovered this morning at the Red Deer apartment while Red Deer RCMP and Sylvan Lake RCMP were executing simultaneous search warrants at two Red Deer apartments and a Sylvan Lake residence. Five people were taken into custody in Red Deer and two were taken into custody in Sylvan Lake.

RCMP will issue an update regarding the results of the search warrants and any resulting charges as the investigations continue and more information comes available.

From Red Deer RCMP: Tuesday, January 30th, 11:30am:

Red Deer RCMP are evacuating residences in a portion of the Riverside Meadows neighbourhood after police officers located a suspicious item while conducting a search warrant at a residence at 5813 53 Avenue.

The RCMP Explosives Device Unit (EDU) is on its way to the residence to investigate and deal with the item; meanwhile, Red Deer RCMP are going door to door in the area, evacuating nearby residences and businesses as a precaution.

The suspicious item was discovered while RCMP were conducting judicially authorized search warrant at the residence as part of an ongoing investigation.

It has not been determined whether the item is dangerous at this time; the evacuation and the attendance of EDU are precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the public.

The evacuation and investigation are expected to last for several hours.

Those impacted by the evacuation will be offered alternate shelter and supports by the appropriate agencies as required.

Citizens are asked to comply with police requests, avoid the area and allow police and EDU room to do their work. RCMP thank citizens for their patience and cooperation.