RCMP Arrest 11 People, Seize Weapons at Alberta Border Protest

Alberta RCMP have arrested eleven people at the Coutts border protest after finding firearms in three trailers.

In a press release on Monday, mounties said they became aware of a small organized group within the larger vaccine restriction protest at the main U.S. border crossing in southern Alberta. The group had been hoarding mass amounts of firearms and ammunition, and police say the group were willing to use force if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade.

After executing a search warrant early Monday morning, the RCMP say that long guns, handguns, body armour, a machete, and a vast amount of ammunition had all been seized from the group.

The protesters also attempted to ram a police vehicle with a large farm tractor and a semi-truck to prove their militant attitude. Police have identified the driver of the tractor and are in the process of looking for him. Both vehicles have since been seized.

The RCMP are encouraging all protestors to move away from the border and to the designated legal protest site.

For the last two weeks, the Albertan border to the U.S. has been either obstructed or straight up blocked by people protesting against COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine requirements for cross-border truck drivers. Similar “Freedom Convoy” protests have been taking place across Canada for just as long.

Read the full statement from the RCMP here.