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City police seized 185 weapons being offered for sale after a raid on an inner-city Edmonton smoke shop.
An investigation launched in November into the sale of prohibited weapons stemmed from complaints from community members about violence around a store near 105 Street and 107 Avenue, police said in a Monday news release.
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A search warrant at 5 Star Gift and Smoke Shop was executed on April 4.
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Officers seized 100 large canisters of bear spray, 30 butterfly knives, 20 pairs of brass knuckles, 20 cannisters of small hand-held bear spray, five flashlight-style Tasers, illicit tobacco, and a controlled substance, believed to be khat, for the purpose of trafficking, said police.
“The availability of these types of weapons contributes significantly to the violence and disorder we’re seeing on the streets in parts of our inner city,” downtown Staff Sgt. Michael Keef said in the release.
“That’s why we take these crimes very seriously, and we’re going to continue to investigate businesses that are selling illegal weapons.”
The business and Amanual Dessie, 41, are facing charges that include seven counts of trafficking a prohibited weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, and selling illicit tobacco.
Anyone with information about the case can contact police at 780-423-4567.
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