Thousands of Fentanyl Pills Seized in Eight Police Raids; 11 Arrested
Thousands of fentanyl pills, along with large quantities of cocaine, meth and other illegal narcotics were seized during eight police raids last week. The operation culminated with 11 people in custody and charged.
On Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, officers with the Guns & Gangs Unit and the Tactical Team began executing warrants on residences and vehicles across the city in connection with the organized trafficking of drugs.
In total, more than $260,000 in drugs was seized, along with nearly $10,000 cash and a large amount of cutting agent and drug paraphernalia.
Over 3,500 fentanyl pills, 58 Percocet pills, and varying amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, psilocybin and marijuana were also recovered.
Of note, one address considered a stash location was found to hold 15 kilograms of cutting agent, as well as instruments used to produce drugs.
The following six addresses were searched in connection with this operation:
- 100 block of 10 Avenue S.W.
- 1500 block of 37 Street S.E.
- 100 block of 13 Avenue N.E.
- 1700 block of Radisson Drive S.E.
- 1300 block of 27 Street S.E.
- 300 block of Fonda Way S.E.
Two vehicles were also searched.
Charged with numerous drug-related offences are:
- Kailee PICCO, 22
- Joseph LAROCHE, 35
- Rodrigue NAJEM, 27
- James MCCLEAN, 21
- Ben JOHNSON, 20
- Jonathan BEJO, 23
- Cory HINGSTON, 28
- Leanne BARRON, 35
- Amin EL ASSAAD, 31
- Mohamed MOHAMED, 21
- Terrell GUENTHER, 18
Warrants for a 12th suspect are currently being sought.
This drug activity is believed to be at the core of much of the violence being seen in Calgary in the last year.
Media advisory to follow