$3M in meth, fentanyl seized, 5 Calgarians arrested in ALERT drug busts
Posted Aug 11, 2022 10:10 am.
Last Updated Aug 11, 2022 6:34 pm.
Almost $3 million worth of methamphetamine and fentanyl were seized and five people from Calgary were arrested in a pair of July drug busts.
The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) called the seizures “Operation Crucible” and “Operation Cairo,” and claim they are among the largest seizures in the law enforcement agency’s history.
ALERT’s Calgary organized crime team lead the busts, and also found four guns in the process.
On July 20, as a part of “Operation Cairo,” ALERT officers searched two homes in the northeast community of Coventry Hills.
There, they found 12,609 grams of meth, 1,201 grams of fentanyl powder, 3,000 tablets of fentanyl, two loaded guns, 412 grams of cocaine, and just over $1,000 in cash.
Police say one of the guns was modified with a banned “over-capacity magazine.”
As a part of the bust, police arrested 37-year-old Martina Valentini, 22-year-old Emily High, and 51-year-old Ricardo Smith, all from Calgary. They face several drug and gun-related charges.
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- ALERT seized nearly $3 million dollars’ worth of methamphetamine and fentanyl, four firearms and arrested five suspects. (Photo courtesy of ALERT)
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- ALERT seized nearly $3 million dollars’ worth of methamphetamine and fentanyl, four firearms and arrested five suspects. (Photo courtesy of ALERT)
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Just over a week later on July 28, officers searched two homes in the southwest community of Spruce Cliff and the northwest community of Thorncliffe as a part of “Operation Crucible.”
Investigators ended up finding 28,355 grams of meth, a Nissan SUV with a hidden compartment, and two more guns.
Officers arrested 33-year-old Matthew Allen and 18-year-old Khynnan Ackeral, both from Calgary.
Anyone who suspects drug or gang activity in their neighbourhood is asked to call their local police, or report an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
