Illegal Online Drug Dispensary Shut Down

Edmonton… An illegal online drug dispensary that was allegedly operating in Edmonton has been shut down. ALERT seized more than half a million dollars’ worth of cannabis products, cocaine, and psilocybin mushrooms.

ALERT Edmonton’s organized crime team shut down the illegal dispensary after a west Edmonton home was searched on June 4, 2018. Investigators arrested three people who were allegedly operating a mail-order drug distribution network out of the home.

The home was allegedly associated to the website CannabisCanada.Today, which purported to be an “online supplier of premium cannabis products.” Packaging and marketing materials associated to the website were found along with the drugs, which included nearly two kilograms of cocaine.

The total value of the drugs seized is estimated at $618,000, and included:

• 34 kilograms of dried, packaged cannabis;
• 2.73 kilograms of cannabis resin in one-gram packages;
• 1.7 kilograms of cocaine;
• 1.1 kilograms of psilocybin mushrooms;
• 616 grams of cannabis oil and concentrates;
• 42 packages of cannabis-infused candies; and
• 40 grams of cannabis isolate powder.

ALERT is warning users who may have made purchases through the site that CannabisCanada. Today is not a licensed cannabis producer, as per Health Canada regulations.

Investigators believe the website had been operating for less than a year. ALERT has seized $50,000 in cash proceeds of crime and two vehicles. Both the cash and the cars will be submitted to the province’s civil forfeiture office for review.

Kevin Melnychuk, 33; Jared Melnychuk, 33; and Cory Gibeau, 32, face multiple charges of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime. The three men were released from custody pending their next court appearances.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

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 Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.

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Notice to media: Photos of goods seized are available for download: Photo 1 | Photo 2 | Photo 3

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