ALERT charges 7 Calgarians in $4.5 million drug trafficking scheme
Posted Aug 9, 2023 12:11 pm.
Seven Calgarians have been charged in a drug trafficking investigation that seized $4.5 million in drugs and nearly $1 million in cash across the city.
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) said in a press release Wednesday that the year-long Project Carlos investigation resulted in multiple arrests between July 31 and Aug. 1.
A total of 33 charges were laid for offences including drug trafficking, money laundering, criminal conspiracy and organized crime.
Police say several Calgary homes were first searched in August 2022, led by the city’s organized crime team, alongside the Calgary Police Service.
“The complexity of Project Carlos is reflected in the severity and breadth of charges being laid and holding this criminal organization accountable,” Acting Staff Sgt. Damien Pearson said in a statement. “A major source of drugs into Calgary was effectively dismantled and these arrests demonstrate our commitment to public safety.”
Minh Hoang Nguyen, 43, Joseph Nguyen, 29, Hai Nguyen, 40, Kim Lim, 37, Courtney Dennis, 55, Derek Wong, 28, and Marcos Tello, 28, all from Calgary, have been charged in connection to the investigation.
All suspects will appear in Calgary court on Wednesday.
Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police at 403-266-1234 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
