Charges laid in illegal slaughter of animals in Mountain View County, other locales

MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY – RCMP have charged several Calgary men with a variety of offences after the illegal slaughter of sheep, goats, and beef in Mountain View, Rocky View, and Wheatland counties.

In November of 2023, RCMP initiated an investigation into unlawful livestock dealing and the illegal slaughter of sheep, goats, and beef in Southern Alberta.

“RCMP confirm sheep and goats were purchased at market, transported to rural properties in Mountain View, Rocky View, and Wheatland County, where the animals were unlawfully slaughtered. Then the meat was delivered to stores and residences in the City of Calgary. Beef had also been slaughtered and was seized by investigators prior to making its way into the city,” police said in a press release issued Tuesday, June 4.

Police said inspections were completed at the involved farm and store locations which resulted in closure orders issued to seven Halal grocery stores, as well as the revocation of two on-farm-slaughter licences.

“Clean up orders have been issued for animal remains and unsightliness of some slaughter locations,” police said.

Raed Alnajar, 48, a resident of Calgary, has been charged with:

• Fail to have animals inspected prior to slaughter, contrary to section 4(1) of the Meat Inspection Act Provincial.

• Sell, offer for sale, transport, or deliver uninspected meat, contrary to section 5(a) of the Meat Inspection Act Provincial.

• Deal in livestock without being a licensed livestock dealer, contrary to section 47(1) of the Livestock Identification and Commerce Act.

Waeel Alhamawi, 35, a resident of Calgary, has been charged with:

• Fail to have animals inspected prior to slaughter, contrary to section 4(1) of the Meat Inspection Act Provincial.

• Sell, offer for sale, transport, or deliver uninspected meat, contrary to section 5(a) of the Meat Inspection Act Provincial (x2)

• Deal in livestock without being a licensed livestock dealer, contrary to section 47(1) of the Livestock Identification and Commerce Act.

Amer Alhamawi (35), a resident of Calgary, has been charged with:

• Fail to have animals inspected prior to slaughter, contrary to section 4(1) of the Meat Inspection Act Provincial.

• Sell, offer for sale, transport, or deliver uninspected meat, contrary to section 5(a) of the Meat Inspection Act Provincial (x2)

• Deal in livestock without being a licensed livestock dealer, contrary to section 47(1) of the Livestock Identification and Commerce Act.

Tareq Alhamawi, 41, a resident of Calgary, has been charged with sell, offer for sale, transport, or deliver uninspected meat, contrary to section 5(a) of the Meat Inspection Act Provincial.

All accused are scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Strathmore June 24.