Ivonne Martinez, president of the ALSA, said police have been investigating liquor store thefts for years now, and it’s nice to see charges finally being laid.
Martinez said she now hopes prosecutors are able to make their case in court and get jail time for those involved. Edmonton police have charged 10 people with distribution of liquor, drugs and unmarked cigarettes. About $130,000 worth of liquor, $35,000 worth of cigarettes, fentanyl, cocaine and Xanax pills were recovered in the operation that netted 40 charges.Martinez pointed to the ongoing robberies at liquor stores and said she is “thrilled” police have been able to lay charges against some of the “gangs” that are targeting specific liquor stores in the city.
In an emailed statement to Postmedia, Taylor Mann, director of public affairs and corporate investigations at Sundial Growers, which owns and operates liquor stores such as Wine and Beyond and Ace Liquor, said the company “applauds” the commitment by EPS to address liquor theft and illicit distribution networks.