Calgary, AB,
11
December
2018
|
13:00
America/Denver

Drug investigation nets 10 kilograms of meth

The Calgary Police Service Gang Enforcement Team (GET), has charged two people following a drug investigation that led to the seizure of more than 12 kilograms of drugs.

On Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, two men were observed exchanging items in a parking lot at Sunridge Mall. The men were arrested and two vehicles were subsequently searched. Search warrants were executed at a residence in the 100 block of Coral Shores Cape N.E., and another in the 900 block of 17 Avenue S.W.

As a result of the search warrants on the vehicles and homes, the following items were seized:

  • 10 kilograms of methamphetamine
  • 2.4 kilograms of cocaine
  • 504.8 grams of fentanyl
  • 42.3 kilograms of phancetin
  • $75,405 in cash
  • Drug packaging equipment
  • Numerous cell phones

Domenico Luca LOIACONO, 27, has been charged with two counts of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, and one count of possession of property obtained by crime.

Richie Danesh RAMUDIT, 26, has been charged with four counts of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime.

The investigation began in October 2018 when GET identified two residences and two vehicles believed to be involved in a drug trafficking operation based in Calgary and was later connected to an earlier Medicine Hat drug seizure.

ALERT, Medicine Hat’s organized crime team, seized nearly half a kilogram of methamphetamine on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. ALERT’s investigation identified a suspected Calgary drug supply, which was shared with GET.

Both the ALERT and GET investigations have now concluded.

“This volume of methamphetamine flowing into and through our city is a substantial public and officer safety issue. Fentanyl is a significant public health crisis, but meth is truly a crime and safety issue,” says Staff Sgt. Kyle Grant. “Our intel and data suggests methamphetamine use is on the rise. A longer high, cheaper price and an increase in availability gives meth a significant draw for individuals with a substance use disorder. Meth is fueling much of the crime in our city – it drives our property crime and is also a substantial factor in a number of violent events we’ve seen this year.”