Project Cobra: ALERT seizes $55M in cocaine, meth

Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) seized $55 million worth of cocaine and methamphetamine in a joint investigation that led to a cross-border drug bust.

ALERT along with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime, seized the drugs as part of an operation authorities called “Project Cobra.”

The investigation lasted nearly three years and was focused on drug importation, drug trafficking, and money laundering across the Canada/U.S. border.

Officers intercepted 928 kilograms of methamphetamine, 6 kilograms of cocaine, and 19 guns including handguns, rifles, submachine guns, and suppressors.

Police also searched 11 homes, businesses, storage locations, and vehicles in Calgary, Bedford, N.S., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., and Leduc County, Alta. in December 2021.

Fifteen people – 11 of which are from Calgary – and one Calgary-based business are facing 80 charges, including money laundering, drug trafficking, and organized crime-related offences:

• Elias Ade, 38, from Calgary is charged with 12 offences
• Abdul Akbar, 37, from Calgary is charged with 8 offences
• Tianna Bull, 25, from North Battleford is charged with 1 offence
• Lina El-Chammoury, 50, from Calgary is charged with 2 offences
• Russell Ens, 39, from North Battleford is charged with 2 offences
• Talal Fouani, 46, from Calgary is charged with 3 offences
• Belal Fouani, 44, from Calgary is charged with 3 offences
• Kari-Lynn Grant, 51, from Calgary is charged with 4 offences
• Scott Hunt, 33, from Calgary is charged with 3 offences
• Ricco King, 50, from Bedford, N.S. is charged with 5 offences
• Jarett Mackenzie, 32, from Calgary is charged with 6 offences
• Jesse Marshall, 52, from Calgary is charged with 4 offences
• Daniel Menzul, 32, from Calgary is charged with 4 offences
• Sean Nesbitt, 44, from Calgary is charged with 3 offences
• William Whiteford, 39, from Leduc County is charged with 20 offences
• Fouani Equity Funds Ltd. is charged with 1 offence.

“Fouani Equity Funds Ltd. is a Calgary-based investment company and was charged with laundering proceeds for an organized crime group,” ALERT said.

Investigators also either seized or froze approximately $7 million worth of “property, bank accounts, luxury vehicles, and other suspected proceeds of crime” including a $3.5 million home in Niagara-on-the-Lake, two Lamborghinis, a Porsche, multiple classic cars, and $200,000 in cash.

Officers also stopped several drug shipments bound for Alberta including:

• 342 kg of meth in Wyoming
• 308 kg of meth in Los Angeles
• 137 kg of meth in Calgary
• 84 kg of meth in Los Angeles
• 50 kg of meth at Lake Koocanusa, B.C.
• 7 kg of meth and 1 kg of cocaine in Calgary
• 5 kg of cocaine in North Battleford, Sask.

Officers from Calgary police, Edmonton police, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Niagara Regional Police, Canada Revenue Agency, Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), and RCMP units in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatoon, North Battleford, Sask., and Osoyoos, B.C. helped with the operation.

Anyone who suspects drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or leave an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).