RCMP Seize Huge Weapons Cache From Freedom Convoy In Alberta

11 members of the “Freedom Convoy have been arrested while RCMP search for owner of a semi that stored many of the weapons.

A well-armed militia group within the Freedom Convoy expressed their willingness to use force against the police if they tried to disrupt the illegal blockade at the Coutts Border according to yesterday’s RCMP’s press release. For weeks Canadians have felt law enforcement has not done enough to end the blockades across the country, and some of their points are valid.

Many Canadians feel that law enforcement has a perceived bias towards the convoy resulting in the white-glove treatment for the protestors. They further added the treatment shown towards the convoy at times appears to be more supportive and cordial compared to those organized by Indigenous groups or those involving Black Lives Matter. Several members of law enforcement had no problems voicing their support for the illegal blockade and taking time while on duty to pose for selfies with the occupiers.

Canada can not be a rule of law if the people empowered to enforce them are timid or lack the will. Of course, not all law enforcement have a perceived bias to people who look like them, but for the ones that do, they are derelict of duty. That type of perceived bias is precisely why invoking the Emergencies Act is important, and gives the Federal Government the power to enforce the basic rules of law that were being ignored by some members of law enforcement that swore an oath to serve and protect.

That being said, the elected officials from the municipal and provincial governments, can not be omitted from the lack of enforcement by their officers. They are the ones with the power to give directions to law enforcement and some have acted gingerly or not at all.

The full state from the RCMP on the weapons cache can be found below

The Alberta RCMP recently became aware of a small organized group within the larger Coutts protest. Information was received that this group had access to a cache of firearms with a large quantity of ammunition. The group was said to have a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade. This resulted in an immediate and complex investigation to determine the extent of the threat and criminal organization.

As a result of this investigation, the Alberta RCMP executed a search warrant during the early hours of Feb. 14, on three trailers associated to this criminal organization. This resulted in the arrest and detainment of 11 individuals.

As result of these search warrants, the following was seized:

• 13 long guns
• handguns
• multiple sets of body armour
• a machete
• a large quantity of ammunition
• high capacity magazines

An example of the militant mindset of a small segment of the protest, earlier in the evening, at approximately 8:00 p.m., a large farm tractor and a semi-truck, both involved in the blockade, attempted to ram a police vehicle. The police officer was able to reposition and avoid the collision. RCMP officers followed the suspects to a location where the protesters were gathered. The driver of the tractor was identified and we are actively working to locate him so he can be taken into custody. The Alberta RCMP have seized the farm tractor and semi-truck involved in this incident.

The Alberta RCMP wants to emphasize that our primary goal throughout this event has been and will continue to be the safety of the public, as well as our officers.

The Alberta RCMP will resume efforts to end the illegal blockade which has prevented access to the Coutts border. We encourage all participants who are involved in this illegal action to leave immediately or relocate to the designated site for the legal protest.

The Alberta RCMP will provide further updates as they become available.