Murder-Conspiracy Trial Hears Edmonton Officers Showed up to Support Coutts Blockade

Murder-Conspiracy Trial Hears Edmonton Officers Showed up to Support Coutts Blockade
Protesters demonstrating against COVID-19 mandates gather as a truck convoy blocks the highway at the U.S. border crossing in Coutts, Alta., Canada, on Feb. 2, 2022. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh
The Canadian Press
Updated:
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An undercover RCMP officer has told court that two Edmonton police officers showed up to support the 2022 border blockade at Coutts, Alta.

The Mountie says one Edmonton officer was there with his wife, who was a nurse, and there was a lineup of people wanting to shake their hands.

The undercover officer, who cannot be identified, is testifying in the trial of Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert.

The men were charged with conspiring to commit murder at the blockade, after Mounties found a cache of guns, body armour and ammunition in trailers in the area.

The blockade of vehicles paralyzed traffic at the busy Canada-U.S. border crossing for two weeks and was among several nationwide protests against COVID-19 rules and vaccine mandates.

Mr. Olienick and Mr. Carbert are also charged with mischief and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Mr. Olienick faces a further charge of being in possession of a pipe bomb.