$200K in drugs and restricted handgun seized in Calgary police raids

A man and womanare in custody after police seized more than$200,000 worth of drugs and a handgun during a search of two southwest Calgary homes.

The investigation followed a traffic stop by a team of officers with ALERT, Alberta's specialized force for tackling organized and serious crime.

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The man who wasarrested was out on bail awaiting trial on a charge of second-degree murder in a 2013 homicide and now breach of recognizance charges, ALERT said in a release.

Officers carried out search warrants at a Killarney apartment and a home in the Woodbine area, finding nearly a kilogram of cocaine and methamphetamine along with a Walther P22 handgun with its serial number defaced.

Thesemi-automatic pistol, a restricted weapon in Canada,is being tested by forensic analysts to determine if it's linked to any crimes, ALERT said.

A 21-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman both face numerous firearms and drug-related charges.

The investigation began last month after ALERT received information concerning suspected drug activity, officials say.

In the past six months, ALERT has seized 83 firearms from across the province related to organized crime and gang enforcement initiatives.

Anyone with information about drug or gang activity in their neighbourhood is askedto call police or contactCrime Stoppers.