Calgary police have charged three people in connection with a prolific drug operation, which they say dealt heavily in fentanyl, working out of three homes in the northeast.
The Calgary Police Service, with the help of the Drug Unit, Tactical Unit, the K9 Unit, the Gang Enforcement Team, the Gang Supression Team, and District 5, uncovered a suspected fentanyl trafficking ring following a two-month-long investigation.
On November 19, police executed three search warrants on three homes in northeast Calgary:
- 0-100 block of Templemont Lane N.E.
- 0-100 block of Rundlelawn Place N.E.
- 0-100 block of Coral Sands Place N.E.
Warrants were also executed on three vehicles related to the initial warrants.
Police say they have seized the following items during their investigation:
- $16,000 cash
- 2.6 kg of marijuana
- 68.5 grams of cannabis resin
- 85.9 grams of methamphetamine
- 61 pills of fentanyl
- 10 pills of OxyContin
- 43 grams of crack cocaine
- 275 grams of powder cocaine
- 9 mm Browning high-powered handgun
- 12 gauge Winchester sawed off shotgun
- Five .22 caliber pen guns
Police do admit that while they only seized a small amount of drugs, there was evidence to indicate that the suspects have trafficked in a large amount over the past few months.
“We believe they were trafficking a lot more. I can tell you that from Health Canada this week, we received some analysis back on some of the fentanyl tablets we’ve been seizing they’re coming back three times the lethal dose so obviously fentanyl is posing a significant health risk to our city right now,” said CPS S/Sgt. Martin Schiavetta.
They also have a huge concern over the seven dangerous weapons seized, because of the risk to public safety they posed.
Three men have been charged in connection with the bust.
Saro Pireh, 19, of Calgary
- eight counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking
- two counts of possession of the proceeds of crime
- six counts of unsafe storage of a firearm
- six counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm
- one count of possession of a firearm obtained by crime
An unidentified 17-year-old youth, from Calgary
- six counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking
- one count of possession of the proceeds of crime
- six counts of unsafe storage of a firearm
- six counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm
- one count of possession of a firearm obtained by crime
Khalil Hijazi, 23, of Calgary
- one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking
- two counts of possession of the proceeds of crime
- six counts of unsafe storage of a firearm
- six counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm
The investigation is still ongoing and it may be that further charges may be laid.
Anyone with information about drug trafficking is asked to contact the non-emergency number at 403-266-1234 or the Drug Tip Line at 403-429-8100 or by email at drugtips@calgarypolice.ca.
