Major drugs, weapons bust likely linked to suspected gang violence, police say

A major drug operation that was raided by Calgary police earlier this week is likely linked to the recent string of violent crimes in the city, investigators say.

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Officers seized about $225,000 worth of drugs and a stash of weapons from two northeast apartments on Monday in a joint operation involving the guns and gangs unit and the drug unit.

The apartments were likely rented for the exclusive purpose of packaging and selling marijuana,fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine, said Staff Sgt. QuinnJacques of the guns and gangs unit.

WaelHammoud, who also goes by AliHammoud, 30, is wanted on warrants for numerous drug and weapons offences.

"Investigators believe this was a midto high-level drug operation, and that the people involved may be connected to a number of violent incidents that have occurred throughout the city in the recent months," police said in a release.

Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31there were85 shootings in the city. And last weekend a 30-year-old man known to police was shot to death at a Forest Lawn barber shop.

Jacquessays the exact linkagesamong the recent shootings and drugbusts are not yet known, but there appears to be an ongoing battle between two or more gangs for control of the drug trade.

"At some level, we're looking at these as all being related events," he said.

Earlier this month,Calgary Police Service Chief RogerChaffin said he is reorganizing the force in response to the spate of violent crime.

Jacques said this week's bustscould make a significant dent on the drug trade in the city.