Operation ‘Wunderland’ leads to a slew of drug and violence arrests

Twenty-three people have been charged, and warrants have been issued for another 12 following a five-week drug bust operation by Calgary police.

Operation Wunderland began March 25 and targeted street-level drug traffickers in the downtown core.

During the operation, officers nabbed some marijuana, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and methamphetamine.

In all, 190 charges have been laid against the 23 whom have been apprehended, including 86 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act crimes.

Insp. Cliff O’Brien of District 1 said the operation started when police began getting numerous calls from the public about not only spotting drug deals, but the related-violence as well.

“People think it’s not a big deal, it’s just a little bit of marihuana, it’s just a little bit of this drug or that drug, the reality is there’s violence associated with that,” he said.

There was no main ringleader in the operation, rather multiple people working their trade in the core.

Act. Staff. Sgt. Collin Harris with the CPS Drug Unit said this may be just one operation that worked well, but it should make a difference.

“The numbers are significant, don’t get me wrong, this was a very good operation, I think we are going to see a difference in our downtown core at this current time and hopefully in the future,” Harris said.

Those arrested include:

Jesse Finlayson, 25

Tony Bear, 28

Jason Krueger, 44

Tyson Poppy, 19

Laren Fowell, 39

Jason McKenzie, 25

Brian Kernaghan, 48

John Alier, 38

Simon Lugela, 19

Kyrel Peggie, 19

Michael Livingstone, 42

Riak Wol, 27

Fiaz Ali, 22

Preston Hall, 42

Damon Ollenberger, 28

Darryl Bonnell, 37

Adam Ferguson, 41

Danny Wirchenko, 39

Michael Perry, 35

Andrew Davidson, 26

Keith Shipman, 30

Michael Ross, 26

Erlee Severight, 29

The 12 warrants out are for the following people:

Ronald Wilson, 21

Tyler Chen, 29

John Ochelo, 18

17-year-old male, who cannot be named under the Young Offender Act

Koa Boateng, 36

Getty Lee Tysdal, 24

Shawntel Cole, 20

Justin Severight, 28

Steven Sharda, 20

Christopher-Ryan Hillmer, 36

Crystal Pineault-Young, 30

Shawn Goodeagle, 40

For pictures of some of the above suspects click here.