Brothers sentenced for roles in fentanyl superlab south of Calgary: ALERT

Two men have been sentenced to 11.5 years in prison for their roles in Project Essence, a large-scale fentanyl production and trafficking operation dismantled in July 2021.

By News Staff

Posted Oct 2, 2025 5:28 pm.

Last Updated Oct 2, 2025 7:30 pm.

A pair of brothers have been sentenced more than a decade each for their roles in a fentanyl superlab near Calgary.

A sweeping drug investigation that began in February 2021, known as Project Essence, led to the dismantling of a massive fentanyl “superlab” near Aldersyde, and the seizure of over $300 million in illicit assets, including drugs, weapons, vehicles, and cash.

The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) announced the July 2021 raid followed searches of 13 properties across Edmonton and Calgary.

ALERT says the Aldersyde lab had the capacity to produce 10 kilograms of fentanyl weekly.

This week, brothers Chad and Christopher Loyie were sentenced to 11.5 years each for their roles in the operation. Earlier this year, Jonathan Loyie received a 16-year sentence as an executive member of the trafficking network.

The investigation was supported by RCMP, Edmonton and Calgary police, and Alberta Health Services.

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