$8M in cocaine seized in Edmonton, part of $37.2M cross-province bust

Edmonton police seized more than $8 million worth of cocaine as part of a national drug trafficking investigation.

A two-year investigation in partnership with Mounties, Ontario, Winnipeg and Edmonton police has resulted in the seizure of more than $37.2 million in illicit drugs in a cross-Canada bust.

RCMP and the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) launched an investigation in February tied to the intelligence shared from a Winnipeg police investigation that triggered the arrest of 33 individuals.

A search warrant was executed on April 16 in the area of 109 Street and Jasper Avenue where EPS seized:

• approximately 80 kilograms of cocaine (approximate street value of $8 million);
• approximately 176 grams of methamphetamine (approximate street value of $1,500);
• approximately 50 pounds of a buffing agent (approximate street value of $90,000);
• a firearm and ammunition; and
• approximately $30,000 in cash.

A 26-year-old man was arrested and is facing five counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm, and proceeds of crime.

EPS says they are not looking for additional suspects.

Last spring, Parkland RCMP launched an investigation into a suspected drug trafficking of a Spruce Grove-area woman that eventually extended to Calgary and then to Manitoba and resulted in the seizure of 53 kilograms of methamphetamine and five kilograms of fentanyl.

“In this case, no single agency could have achieved this result alone,” said RCMP Insp. Kevin McGillivray in a statement Wednesday.