5 suspects charged in record-setting $3 million Edmonton drug bust

Cameron MacCuish · CBC News

· Posted: May 08, 2025 5:01 PM EDT | Last Updated: 9 minutes ago

After a year-long investigation, 5 suspects person been charged successful what constabulary accidental is the largest cocaine seizure successful Edmonton.

In a Wednesday quality release, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) said the charges are connected to the April 2024 seizure of much than 27 kilograms of cocaine and different drugs, with an estimated street-level worth of $3 million.

The drugs were recovered during a hunt of a location successful the westbound Edmonton neighbourhood of Lewis Estates.

Along with the 27 kilograms of cocaine, ALERT said it also recovered 5 kilograms of MDMA — a recreational cause besides known arsenic ecstasy oregon molly — on with astir 4 kilograms of a suspected cocaine buffing agent and $19,000 successful cash.

Initially, 1 idiosyncratic was arrested but nary charges were laid.

Following a afloat investigation, 5 individuals were charged connected April 21 with offences including information successful the activities of a transgression organization, conspiracy to postulation drugs, cause trafficking and wealth laundering, ALERT said successful the statement.

"Following past year's cause seizure, our investigative squad was capable to behaviour a thorough probe and place the suspects responsible," said Insp. Angela Kemp with ALERT Edmonton.

"We present person important charges enactment earlier the courts successful the hopes of holding this organized transgression radical accountable."  

ALERT alleges that the suspects are portion of an organized transgression radical that has been progressive successful cause trafficking successful the Edmonton region, arsenic good arsenic Grande Prairie, Alta., and successful Saskatchewan.

The suspects are scheduled to look successful tribunal connected May 22.