Illegal knives, stolen property seized from Edmonton convenience store: EPS

Police say nearly 100 illegal weapons were seized from an Edmonton convenience store this month.

Two people are facing charges after police seized prohibited knives and contraband tobacco from an Edmonton convenience store.

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Officers executed a warrant at Brother’s Gift and Smoke Shop at 100 Street and 106 Avenue on Jan. 14 because it was “known to be selling prohibited knives and contraband cigarettes.”

The following items were seized:

- 27 packs of contraband cigarettes;

- 94 prohibited spring-assisted knives;

- proceeds of crime;

- stolen property; and

- two CCTV hard drives.

The 40-year-old owner of the store as well as a 35-year-old employee were charged with the following:

- trafficking contraband cigarettes;

- weapons trafficking;

- proceeds of crime;

- possession of stolen property; and

- fraud under $5,000.

The employee was also charged with possession of a weapon dangerous to the public.

“The fact that illegal knives are so readily available in some central Edmonton businesses is a significant contributing factor to the violence and disorder in our inner city,” Const. Steven Viezel of the Edmonton Police Service said in a news release.

“Our community safety teams continue to investigate these businesses that are selling prohibited weapons and illicit tobacco as part of our ongoing efforts to promote healthy streets in Edmonton.”

Anyone with information about the illegal sale of weapons is asked to contact EPS at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.