ALERT charges two following drug seizures in Fort McMurray

December 14, 2012

Over $750,000 in drugs seized, including $300,000 in cocaine

Fort McMurray…Two men face numerous drug trafficking charges after police concluded an investigation during which they seized several drugs, including over three kilograms of cocaine with a street value of more than $300,000.

On December 12, Wood Buffalo’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-Wood Buffalo) executed a search warrant on Killdeer Way in Fort McMurray. The Wood Buffalo RCMP Detachment provided assistance.

Along with the cocaine, CFSEU-Wood Buffalo seized the following:

• 993 grams of ecstasy, valued at nearly $200,000 if sold on the street;
• three litres of Gamma Hydroxybutyric (GHB), commonly known as the ‘date-rape drug;’
• over 400 grams each of marihuana and hashish;
• over 1,000 prescription pills; and
• anabolic steroids in a number of forms, including 800 bottles of injectable product, and Human Growth Hormone.

Drug trafficking paraphernalia, over $46,000 cash and a vehicle were also seized. In total, the drugs seized have a street value of over $750,000.

“The quantity and diversity in drugs seized speaks to the scope of this operation,” explained CFSEU-Wood Buffalo’s Sgt. Kirk Peyton. “While this is a significant bust, we know there is always more work to do and will continue to target people who put our communities at risk by engaging in drug trafficking.”

As a result of this investigation, 31-year old Richard COSMAN and 30-year-old Jeromy LAPORTE are charged with eight counts each of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count each of possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000. Both men are Fort McMurray residents.

To report suspicious activity in your community, contact police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). CFSEU-Wood Buffalo is also reminding the public to call its gang information hotline at (780) 788-GANG to report any tips that might assist the police in its crackdown on gang and organized crime.

Made up of RCMP members, CFSEU-Wood Buffalo is an ALERT team established and funded by the Government of Alberta to bring together the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources to tackle serious and organized crime. Over 400 municipal police, RCMP and sheriffs work for ALERT.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Sgt. Kirk Peyton
CFSEU-Wood Buffalo
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
780-788-8282

Jill Baird
Communications
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
780-509-3028