Photo courtesy of ALERT

By Shaun Penner

Network supplied GP

ALERT makes million-dollar drug bust in northern Alberta investigation

Nov 18, 2021 | 10:54 AM

The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) says they have arrested five people and seized an estimated $1 million worth of drugs following an investigation which spread across northern Alberta.

The seizure comes after ALERT Edmonton’s organized crime and gang team executed multiple search warrants on November 2 to disrupt the intraprovincial drug trafficking network. Three homes in Edmonton were searched and targeted vehicle stops were conducted in Red Deer and Whitecourt.

“ALERT’s investigation revealed the Edmonton-based group was aggressive in supplying smaller cells in Grande Prairie and Red Deer,” said Inspector Kevin Berge with ALERT Edmonton.

“By leveraging our criminal intelligence, and coordinating ALERT’s resources, we were able to undermine their operations by intercepting significant shipments of harmful drugs.”

The seizure netted ALERT 8,578 grams of meth, 1,317 grams of fentanyl, 2,850 millilitres of GHB, 57 opioid pills, 17,260 grams of buffing agents and 929 grams of unknown powders.

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Three handguns, 645 rounds of ammunition and $16,255 in cash were also seized.

“All three of the firearms were found with ammunition and not lawfully possessed,” ALERT officials add. “One of the firearms was believed to have been 3-D printed and was equipped with a suppression device.

“ALERT will be submitting the firearms for further analysis and ballistics testing.”

Five people were arrested but no charges have been laid at this time.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community are asked to come forward to their local police, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

READ MORE: Grande Prairie RCMP asking people to report suspected drug houses