An inter-city investigation was initiated by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) after the police received information from informants that L and M were involved in a drug trafficking operation. Surveillance teams observed L and M engaged in suspected drug transactions and the investigation expanded to include N and E who had a history of drug related activity. Various investigative tools were approved by court order to monitor the targets including tracking warrants and other warrants authorizing covert entry of residential premises and the production of pre-boarding screening information from the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). The surveillance eventually led the police to a house and a storage locker where video cameras recorded a person the police believed to be M. Guns and forged identification documents were located when the police covertly entered the premises. Mr Rice was retained by L who has been charged with multiple firearm and forgery offences.