Drug trade in Fort McMurray was massively disrupted with nearly half a million dollars in drugs and cash seized last month during Project Frontier.
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) arrested three suspects in connection to an alleged drug trafficking network in the city.
Project Frontier was a 14-month investigation led by ALERT’s Fort McMurray organized crime team, which worked alongside the Wood Buffalo RCMP.
Roughly $500,000 worth of drugs and cash were seized by ALERT between Sept. 9-13:
- 1,066 grams of methamphetamine
- 224 grams of fentanyl powder
- 2,363 grams of cocaine
- 15,160 grams of a cocaine buffing agent
- $90,000
Two homes in Fort McMurray were searched during Project Frontier leading to additional seizures over the course of the 14-month investigation.
“Project Frontier is a tremendous example of ALERT’s tireless efforts to keep communities safe from organized crime activity. Our investigators were diligent in working their way up from street-level drugs sales to the local supplier, and ultimately dismantling this criminal enterprise,” said Insp. Brad Lundeen, ALERT Regional teams in a recent press release.
Supt. Mark Hancock, Woof Buffalo RCMP stated that “The Wood Buffalo RCMP Detachment is fortunate to have a strong partnership and working relationship with ALERT. We will continue to work as an investigative team to keeping the residents of Fort McMurray safe.”
Three suspects from Fort McMurray were arrested with charges ranging from drug trafficking to conspiracy to commit an indictable offence:
- Edwin Valdez, 38-year from Fort McMurray
- Samuel Crisby, 30-year-old from Fort McMurray
- Shane Rhodes, 28-year-old from Fort McMurray
If you suspect drug or gang activity in your community, please contact the Wood Buffalo RCMP at 780-788-4040. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com, or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
