Alberta enforcement agencies seize nearly $1 million worth of fentanyl 

One of the biggest drug busts in a law enforcement agency’s history, nearly $1 million worth of fentanyl was retrieved by police during an Oct. 2 drug bust operation just within Valleyview, Alberta.

The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT), along with the RCMP, conducted a search on rural property this past summer.

“This superlab location has been in continuous operation for a period of at least two years,” said Angela Kemp, Inspector at Edmonton Police Service.

According to Moms Stop The Harm, despite putting a dent in the illegal drug activity in Western Canada, this won’t have a huge effect on people struggling with addiction.

“People who are dependent on the fentanyl, who are using it all the time, they need the supply. If the supply has taken out, they seek it elsewhere,” said Petra Schulz, Co-founder of Moms Stop the Harm.

The enforcement agency seized more than 4,000 litres of suspected drug ingredients, 1,500 litres of chemical waste and seven kilograms of processed fentanyl, with an estimated value of $700,000. ALERT says this would be worth close to $1 million at a wholesale level.

“So, each kilogram of fentanyl is valued at over $700,000. So, what you’re seeing right here on this table is almost close to $1 million worth of product at the wholesale level. That obviously can be broken down and sold at the street level which, as we know can be astronomical for profits for organized crime,” said Kemp.

“We believe a lab like this would produce enough fentanyl to supply the majority of Alberta, this fentanyl or anything that was produced in that lab was also being sold in the streets of Edmonton.”

While Schulz believes in the removal of the illegal drug trade, she stands to have alternative measures to help people struggling with addiction.

“By leaving the people at the mercy of the toxic street drugs, we are losing too many and the numbers keep on going in up,” said Schulz.

Stephen Mogg, a 55-year-old man from Kelowna, B.C., was charged with drug offences. The agency is still investigating any connection to organized crime.

Anyone who suspects drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Editor’s note: This story has been edited to provide additional details about the value of the fentanyl seized by police.