Cocaine Suppliers Targeted in Edmonton Raids

Edmonton… A series of four search warrants were executed in Edmonton as Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) conducted a targeted investigation into a cocaine supply group.

ALERT Edmonton, an integrated team consisting of Edmonton Police Service and RCMP members, seized more than seven kilograms of cocaine and quantities of other drugs on April 16. The drugs were located in homes in southeast Edmonton, where the cocaine was being mixed and packaged for distribution.

The ALERT seizure included:

• 7 kilograms of cocaine;
• 11.4 kilograms of the buffing agent Phenacetin;
• 567 grams of MDMA;
• 10 kilograms of marihuana;
• 3 prohibited weapons;
• 4 vehicles;
• $6,365 cash proceeds of crime.

The drugs have an estimated street value of over $850,000.

Investigators believe the group was actively supplying cocaine to communities throughout the region. The investigation was initiated following a recent drug bust in Cold Lake, Alta. that resulted in the arrest of a Dirty Few outlaw motorcycle gang associate. On March 6 Aaron Capp was arrested with 430 grams of MDMA and 140 grams of cocaine.

As result of the ALERT search warrants on April 16, four people are facing drug-related offences:

• Brendan Bennett, 31;
• Richard Comely, 33;
• Travis Lall, 35;
• Allison Wincherauk, 27.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime. Members of Alberta Sheriffs, Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Regional Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.

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