Five people have been charged, one is wanted, and over a quarter million dollars’ worth of drugs and cash have been seized in Fort McMurray, according to the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).
ALERT says between Jan. 16 and 30, officers issued multiple search warrants at four homes and six vehicles, which were part of a five-month-long drug trafficking investigation.
During the searches, ALERT, with the assistance of Wood Buffalo RCMP, was able to find and seize 1,786 grams of cocaine, 753 grams of methamphetamine, and 80 grams of fentanyl, all believed to be worth around $264,000. Additionally, four firearms (three handguns and a sawed-off shotgun), two vehicles, and $30,000 in cash were also seized.
As a result, five people — 30-year-old Humzah Tariq from Calgary, 37-year-old Joshua Flores-Hilario from Fort McMurray, 25-year-old Selim Messier from Calgary, 28-year-old Trevor Verge from Fort McMurray, and 24-year-old Jessice Myers from Fort McMurray — who were believed to be connected were taken into custody and have been charged with a combined 48 drug and weapon-related offences.
ALERT says 28-year-old Mia Franco Betharte from Calgary is wanted in connection with the investigation; however, she has not been located at this time.
“Taking harmful drugs off the street and guns out of the hands of drug dealers is a top priority for ALERT and a double win for public safety,” said Staff Sergeant Mark Wait, ALERT Fort McMurray.