Red Carpet Reckoning: Loaded Guns, Fentanyl Haul Expose Calgary's Deepest Drug Fight
Calgarians are saying there's a buzz around Red Carpet after a recent investigation led to some surprising discoveries. It looks like the community is on high alert, but there's more to the story than meets the eye.
The Street Scene: A Bust in Southeast Calgary
Early this December, the calm facade of Calgary's Red Carpet community was pierced by a high-stakes drug trafficking investigation, culminating in the arrest of two local men and a significant seizure of illicit substances and loaded firearms. Ali Abdullah Ahmadi, 19, and Mustafa Ahmadi, 23, both from our city, now face a litany of charges that peel back the layers of Calgary's persistent drug problem.
District 4 officers, acting on intelligence, executed a traffic stop on December 11, 2025, after a suspected drug transaction. What they found was alarming: two loaded handguns, along with a dangerous cocktail of drugs. The haul included approximately 35.7 grams of suspected cocaine, 2.8 grams of suspected fentanyl, 66.9 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 30.1 grams of suspected heroin, and 47 oxycodone pills. The street value of these drugs alone tops an estimated $19,000, bolstered by an additional $5,090 in seized Canadian currency.
Both Ahmadis are staring down four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking controlled substances, alongside numerous firearm offenses, including careless storage, unauthorized possession, and possession of a loaded prohibited firearm with a defaced serial number. Ali Ahmadi carries an additional charge for breaching a prohibition order. Their next court appearance is set for January 2, 2026.
Beyond the Headlines: What This Means for Your Block and Your Wallet
While the Red Carpet area is known for its affordability and diverse housing in southeast Calgary, this incident shines a harsh light on the insidious nature of drug trafficking, and its direct threat to residential safety. The presence of loaded handguns in our communities isn't just a statistic; it's a chilling reality for families living nearby. The Red Carpet community recorded a crime rate of 2.636 per 100 in the May 2023-May 2024 period, and incidents like this underscore the constant vigilance required by our police services.
But the impact isn't just about street-level dangers; it hits every Calgarian in the pocketbook. The illicit drug trade isn't free. The overall cost of substance abuse to Canadians was estimated at over $49 billion in 2020, with Alberta shouldering $7.2 billion of that burden, which breaks down to approximately $1,638 per person in our province. Crimes directly linked to drug use or related laws cost the Canadian justice system a staggering $10 billion in 2020 alone, covering policing, courts, and correctional services – roughly $262 for every Canadian. Every bust, every investigation, every hour spent by our District Operations Teams comes directly out of municipal taxes, a constant, necessary investment to keep dangerous drugs and weapons off our streets.
Calgary's Crossroads: Enforcement, Empathy, and the Fentanyl Fight
While the Calgary Police Service's District Operations Teams are crucial in disrupting these criminal enterprises, the conversation around drug use and trafficking extends far beyond arrests and seizures. The CPS itself acknowledges that enforcement is merely one component of a complex challenge, working with partners to address underlying issues. The inclusion of fentanyl in this recent seizure is a stark reminder of the potent and deadly nature of this opioid, which continues to be a devastating public health concern across Alberta.
Critics of a solely enforcement-focused strategy argue that it fails to address the root causes of addiction and can, in fact, exacerbate social problems. Advocates for harm reduction and public health approaches point to compelling data: a University of Calgary study indicated that Calgary's supervised consumption site saved taxpayers over $2.3 million in a two-year period by preventing ambulance calls and emergency department visits for overdoses. The O'Brien Institute for Public Health at the University of Calgary champions the idea that criminalizing drug use worsens stigma, and that a truly comprehensive policy should prioritize evidence-based harm reduction alongside recovery options. Conversely, some community members voice frustration that harm reduction initiatives, if not meticulously balanced with robust enforcement, might contribute to visible social disorder.
The Bottom Line: A Safer City Demands More Than Just One Solution
This significant drug and firearm seizure by the Calgary Police Service underscores the ongoing battle against organized crime and its tangible impact on communities like Red Carpet. Our officers are on the front lines, removing dangerous individuals and illicit substances, and their work is vital for maintaining public order. Yet, this incident also highlights the persistent, and costly, challenge of drug addiction and trafficking that weaves through our city's fabric.
As Calgarians, we must continue to weigh the essential role of law enforcement in ensuring our immediate safety against the growing call for comprehensive public health strategies. A truly safer city for all means investing in both the boots on the ground and the hands reaching out, addressing addiction's complex roots, and providing a full continuum of support for vulnerable Albertans. If you have information about suspected drug trafficking, call 403-266-1234 or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers.
