Red Deer, Alta - In January of 2023, the Red Deer RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) initiated an investigation into firearms trafficking. Red Deer GIS, with the assistance of General Duty Officers, the Emergency Response Team and other specialized units within the RCMP, executed a search warrant at a private residence in Red Deer.
As a result of the search, police seized numerous items, which included:
- Firearms & firearm components
- equipment for the manufacturing of firearms
- a stolen vehicle which had the VIN changed
- equipment for altering the VIN of stolen vehicles
- fraudulent documents & equipment for creating these documents
- stolen property
- various drugs & other equipment
Red Deer RCMP continued their investigation over the following year and have now laid 27 charges as a result.
Quinn Olson, a 48-year-old resident of Red Deer, has been charged with the following offences:
- Possession of Firearms for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Weapons Manufacturing
- Alter Vehicle Identification Number
- Possess Forged Document
- Possess Instrument for making a Forged Document
- Fraud greater than $5000
- Identity Theft
- Possession of an Intercepting Device
- Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
- Possession of Property obtained by Crime over $5000
- Possession of Property obtained by Crime under $5000
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking
- Unauthorized possession of a Firearm x4
- Disobey Order of Court x4
- Possession of a Controlled Substance x7
An arrest warrant has been issued for Quinn Olson.
Red Deer RCMP are fully committed to building safer communities. “This investigation is an excellent example of intelligence led policing and furthers our goals with the City of Red Deer’s policing priorities” said Inspector Heidi Ravenhill.
Red Deer RCMP would also like to thank the public for their assistance with this matter. “A concerned citizen had phoned police to report suspicious activity, which assisted with the investigation at it’s onset. This investigation exemplifies how important partnering with our community members can be to detect and deter crime to make Red Deer safer” said Constable Andrew Devine.
Red Deer RCMP encourage the public to report suspicious activity. You can contact Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.
-30-
