'Mountain of meth': Alberta police seize over $55M in drugs, arsenal of weapons
Alberta police have seized an estimated $55 million in illegal drugs through a cross-border investigation into organized crime, trafficking and money laundering.
The investigation, called Project Cobra, began in 2020 and was a joint effort between the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT), RCMP and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
ALERT says 928 kilograms of methamphetamine and six kilograms of cocaine were seized as a result of the nearly three-year-long investigation.
"The amount of harm that mountain of meth brings to our communities is very disturbing" said ALERT Supt. Marc Cochlinin a Wednesday news release.
In addition, an estimated $7 million worth of assets were seized or placed under criminal restraint.
The investigation also led to police agencies throughout Canada and in the United States assisting and making numerous large-scale drug seizures in their jurisdictions, including:
- 342 kilograms of meth in Wyoming;
- 308 kilograms of meth in Los Angeles;
- 137 kilograms of meth in Calgary;
- 84 kilograms of meth in Los Angeles;
- 50 kilograms of meth at Lake Koocanusa, B.C.; and
- Five kilograms of cocaine in North Battleford, Sask.
Nineteen firearms were also seized, including handguns, rifles, submachine guns and suppressors.
Alberta police have seized an estimated $55 million in illegal drugs through a cross-border investigation into organized crime, trafficking and money laundering. In addition, police say $7 million worth of property, bank accounts, luxury vehicles and other suspected proceeds of crime has been seized or placed under criminal restraint.
Vehicles seized by police during Project Cobra. (ALERT handout) This includes a $3.5 million home in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., two Lamborghinis, a Porsche, classic cars and $200,000 cash.
A home in Niagra-on-the-Lake placed under criminal restraint during Project Cobra. (ALERT) In total, 15 people and one business have been charged with 80 criminal offences ranging from participation in a criminal organization to importation of a controlled substance.
The suspects were arrested and charged between May 2022 and August 2022, including:
- Elias Ade, 38, from Calgary, charged with 12 offences;
- Abdul Akbar, 37, from Calgary, charged with eight offences;
- Tianna Bull, 25, from North Battleford, charged with one offence;
- Lina El-Chammoury, 50, from Calgary, charged with two offences;
- Russell Ens, 39, from North Battleford, charged with two offences;
- Talal Fouani, 46, from Calgary, charged with three offences;
- Belal Fouani, 44, from Calgary, charged with three offences;
- Kari-Lynn Grant, 51, from Calgary, charged with four offences;
- Scott Hunt, 33, from Calgary, charged with three offences;
- Ricco King, 50, from Bedford, N.S., charged with five offences;
- Jarett Mackenzie, 32, from Calgary, charged with six offences;
- Jesse Marshall, 52, from Calgary, charged with four offences;
- Daniel Menzul, 32, from Calgary, charged with four offences;
- Sean Nesbitt, 44, Calgary, charged with three offences;
- William Whiteford, 39, from Leduc County, charged with 20 offences; and
- Fouani Equity Funds Ltd. charged with one offence.
Fouani Equity Funds Ltd. is a Calgary-based investment company and was charged with laundering proceeds for an organized crime group.
For a complete list of charges laid against each of the accused you can visit the ALERT website.
CARTEL TIES, KING WAS ALLEGEDLY THE LEADER
Alberta police have seized an estimated $55 million in illegal drugs through a cross-border investigation into organized crime, trafficking and money laundering. Sgt. Tara McNeil with ALERT says the investigation revealed an ongoing plot to import high volumes of methamphetamine and cocaine into Alberta.
"We believe these drugs originated in Mexico, and this criminal organization had established links with the cartels."
She says the organized crime unit connected to the arrests operated at an "extremely complex and sophisticated level."
"ALERT alleges that the head of this criminal organization was Ricco King, a 50-year-old man who was well-known in Alberta from previous organized crime investigations.
"King was allegedly the top figure of this criminal organization, and took extraordinary measures to insulate himself from being directly implicated in criminal activity.
"King resided in, and owned, multi-million dollar mansions in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. and in the Halifax, Nova Scotia area."A Halifax County home placed under criminal restraint during Project Cobra. (ALERT handout)
McNeil says the organization didn't have a name it specifically used or operated under.
"This criminal organization is not defined by race, it's not defined by age, it doesn't have a specific name… it's a group of people that were working together for the benefit of the group, to make as much money as possible, to import as many drugs as they possibly could.
McNeil says Project Cobra is "undoubtedly one of ALERT's biggest successes and the impact of this investigation will be substantial."
Coughlan said Operation Cobra didn't just "cut off the head of the snake" it "took the whole damn snake."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.