Eleven people involved in the Coutts border blockade were before a court Tuesday facing various weapons and mischief charges — and three among them were also charged with conspiracy to murder.
Two more individuals were later named with charges, including one more with conspiracy to murder. The charges follow an early morning raid on Monday where RCMP found a cache of 13 long guns, handguns, body armour, large amounts of ammunition and high-capacity magazines in three trailers.
In a press release on Monday, police alleged the group was willing to use force if the blockade was disrupted. Read more: Border operations resume after Coutts blockade dismantled in southern Alberta “This resulted in an immediate and complex investigation to determine the extent of the threat and criminal organization,” RCMP said.
All eleven of the individuals were charged with possession of a weapon and mischief to property over $5,000. Anthony Olienick, Chris Carbert and Chris Lysak were also charged with conspiracy to murder.