RCMP indicate that the investigation is ongoing and charges are pending against several suspects in two provinces, including some in Lloydminster following the seizure of drugs estimated at $571,000 in street value.
At a briefing Thursday at the Lloydminster RCMP Detachment, Sgt. Bruce Maclean Team Commander of ALERT Lloydminster says the work of their Project Deception has disrupted organized crime in Lloydminster and communities in Alberta and B.C. A year-long collaboration with ALERT and Lloydminster General Investigation Section has resulted in removing drugs, handguns and cash from the streets.
Maclean says their investigation traced the drug trail to Edmonton and as well Kelowna resulting in a significant disruption of the drug supply chain.
The team lead surmised the seizure.
“In total on Project Deception, ALERT has seized two handguns, 3.6 kilograms of cocaine, 3 kilograms of suspected cocaine buffing agents, 1.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, 275 grams of fentanyl over $100,000 in cash, and nearly $150,000 in restrained assets including high-end jewelry.”
The precise details comprise:
- Two handguns with ammunition
- 3,600 grams of cocaine
- 3,055 grams of suspected buffing agents
- 1,223 grams of methamphetamine
- 275 grams of suspected fentanyl
- $101,888 cash
- $147,872 in restrained assets, including jewelry.
On June 1st, police led raids at eight places in Alberta and B.C. Drugs were seized in Lloydminster, as well as Edmonton and Springbrook in Alberta, and also Kelowna and Vernon, B.C.
Maclean assessed the dent the police actions have made in the drug supply chain.
“I would say it’s quite significant. Again I cannot get into specific details. It is organized enough that the drugs are coming in from points way outside of the city including in different provinces. This is a group of persons that we believe have been operating in Lloydminster somewhat successfully for quite some time and with the resources from ALERT we were able to target them.”
Maclean acknowledged the team effort of RCMP resources in both Alberta, B.C., the Edmonton Police Service and FINTRAC as they continue their investigations. He is encouraging residents to continue to submit their tips as “it takes a community to deal with these problems.”
ALERT is funded through the Alberta government and the city. The partnership was set up in 2020 following “long discussions,” says Mayor Gerald Aalbers.
“Organized crime impacts every member of our community and the work that ALERT has done shows that they are making our city safer each and every day.”