$2M ‘drug pipeline’ cut off between Alberta and BC

The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) have dismantled a million dollar drug pipeline between B.C. and Alberta.

On Wednesday, officials announced that $2 million in drugs and cash have been seized and a dozen people have been arrested after a two-year investigation by ALERT.

The two-year investigation dubbed “Project Elder” discovered an operation where drugs were shipped to Edmonton and Calgary from B.C. within hidden compartments in as many as five vehicles.

Those drugs were then distributed throughout the province.

Two homes, two businesses and multiple vehicles were searched. The drugs alone have an estimated street value of $1.5 million.

The items seized include:

• 9.3 kilograms of cocaine;
• 17.2 kilograms of a cocaine buffing agent;
• 6.0 kilograms of methamphetamine;
• 684 grams of fentanyl powder;
• $514,335 cash;
• 5 vehicles with hidden compartments.
• A handgun with suppressor and expanded magazine;

According to ALERT, Project Elder “relied heavily” on several police units, including the Edmonton Police Service, CFSEU-BC, North Vancouver RCMP, RCMP E Division, Innisfail RCMP, RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime and Alberta Sheriffs surveillance team.

A total of 59 charges have been laid against 12 people.