More than $13 million worth of drugs seized in online drug trafficking investigation
Cyber investigators have seized more than $13 million worth of drugs following an eight-month investigation into the illegal sale of drugs through an online website.
In April 2021, the Calgary Police Service received information about the online illicit sale of psilocybin and cannabis products, which was believed to be operating out of a residence in Calgary.
Our Cybercrime Team began investigating and through the collection of both digital and physical evidence, investigators were able to identify potential suspects. Throughout the investigation, police also identified several properties in British Columbia that were believed to be functioning as production, distribution and storage sites for the drug trafficking operation.
Police believe that through the website, www.thechronfather.ca, suspects were selling psilocybin and cannabis to buyers across Canada through online purchases. It’s alleged that through this platform, since January 2021, sellers collected more than $11 million, which funded their organized crime activities.
On Tuesday, Dec. 7, and Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, with the assistance of CPS Substance and Fentanyl Evaluation (SAFE) Team and the British Columbia RCMP, five search warrants were executed simultaneously at properties located in Calgary, Kelowna and Beaverdell, British Columbia. As a result of the search warrants, police seized:
- Approximately $13 million worth of cannabis, including roughly 2,636 kilograms of dried cannabis and cannabis plants, 7.2 kilograms of shatter, and various amounts of cannabis oils/resin and edibles.
- More than $85,000 worth of psilocybin, also known as mushrooms, in both dried and gummy forms.
- $63,000 in Canadian currency.
- Four rifles and various ammunition.
- A Ford F350 as proceeds of crime.
The Alberta Civil Forfeiture Office has commenced proceedings against funds in an Alberta bank account. The British Columbia Civil Forfeiture Office has also commenced proceedings against a number of assets in BC, including four properties and several bank accounts.
Photos of a small portion of the seized items are available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.
Two individuals were arrested at the time of the search warrants and charges are pending.
“By operating outside of the regulated cannabis production, processing and distribution channels, these individuals put citizens at significant risk,’ says Inspector Phil Hoetger of the CPS Technical Operations Section. “Not only did purchases made through this website fund illegal organized criminal activities, production and storage facilities of this size are often the target of accompanying violence that puts our community at risk. Additionally, without any regulatory oversight, there were no measures in place to ensure that these products were safe for consumption.”
While this investigation is ongoing, we would like to thank our law enforcement partners in the RCMP and British Columbia Civil Forfeiture Office for their assistance in this file, as well as numerous units within CPS.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TEXT: P3 Tips
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
Case #21136180/5101