Calgary drug bust nets $5M in cocaine

Organized crime group was supplying drugs throughout Alberta, police say

Image | ALERT drug bust

Caption: ALERT officials stand near the items seized in a recent drug bust. (Dean Holtsman/CBC)

Police have seized $5 million worth of cocaine and other drugs from an organized crime group operating in Calgary, officials say.
The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) made the bust on Feb. 4 after a year-long investigation.

Image | Cocaine bust

Caption: The cocaine and fentanyl seizures are the largest ever conducted by ALERT, says officials. (CBC)

Investigators seized 40 kilograms of cocaine, nearly 12,000 fentanyl pills, 1.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, half a kilogram of heroine, 182 grams of MDMA, 450 grams of marijuana and 60 kilograms of the pain killer phenacetin, said staff Sgt. Keith Hurley.
“The cocaine and fentanyl seizures are the largest of its kind by ALERT,” he said.
Officers executed seven search warrants and arrested 12 people during the operation, police say.
ALERT has nearly 400 municipal police, RCMP members and sheriffs who investigate serious crimes like drug trafficking, gangs and child exploitation.