Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams says a number of Bonnyville residents have been arrested in conjunction with a drug trafficking network spanning two provinces. ALERT says a nine-month investigation called Project Embrace targetted the supply, distribution and street-level sales of drugs from British Columbia.
Officers say the drugs were brought to Edmonton and then the sales co-ordinated with dealers in Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Lloydminster, St. Paul and other areas.
In conjunction with the project, the Bonnyville RCMP have arrested eight suspects in separate investigations:
Charlie Houle, 24
Brent Coell, 18
Rayden Hill, 22
Michael Pownall, 36
Britney Coulombe, 27
Wayne Friesen, 27
Tyanna John, 21
Dustin Gellerman, 27
All eight face charges including multiple counts of drug trafficking.
A number of homes were searched in Edmonton and Vancouver. Police are saying they were able to seize 6.5 kilograms of cocaine, 2 kilograms of methamphetamine as well as over $300,000 in cash. Six other suspects were arrested.
ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is committed to tackling serious and organized crime.