UPDATE:
Two more people were arrested, RCMP said.
An update from RCMP said two weapons were seized and an individual was arrested when he was stopped by police while travelling back to the protest site.
He remains in custody.
At 12:45 p.m. a semi approached an RCMP check stop north of Milk River, Alta., when the motorist accelerated, driving towards police.
“The driver swerved at the last moment and hit some traffic cones which were on the roadway,” RCMP said in a statement. “The driver was arrested close to the scene for criminal code offences.”
Footage of the scene at Coutts Feb. 15 show only a few trucks remain parked on the shoulders.
I am pleased to hear reports this evening that those still participating in the Coutts border blockade intend to leave the area and return home tomorrow morning. https://t.co/TGeEXkBSMy
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) February 15, 2022
ORIGINAL:
Eleven people were arrested after Alberta RCMP executed a search warrant early Feb. 14.
RCMP were alerted recently to a small organized group within the larger protest at the Coutts border in Southern Alberta. Police were told this group had access to a cache of firearms and a large quantity of ammunition.
"The group was said to have a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade," a statement from RCMP reads.
Three trailers associated to the group were searched early Monday morning and 13 long guns, handguns, multiple sets of body armour, a machete, large quality of ammunition and high-capacity magazines were seized.
RCMP said an example of the "militant mindset of a small segment of the protest" was seen the night before.
A large farm tractor and semi truck, both involve din the blockade, attempted to ram a police vehicle around 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13. The RCMP officer was able to avoid the collision and followed the suspects to a location where the protesters were gathered.
The driver of the tractor was identified and police are working to locate him so he can be arrested.
The farm tractor and truck involved were both seized.
"The Alberta RCMP wants to emphasize that our primary goal throughout this event has been and will continue to be the safety of the public, as well as our officers."
