ALERT Makes Million-Dollar Drug Seizure in Edmonton

Edmonton… ALERT has seized more than a million dollars’ worth of drugs after search warrants were carried out at three Edmonton homes. Three people have been charged.

ALERT Edmonton’s organized crime and gang team seized nearly nine kilograms of cocaine, along with methamphetamine and cannabis resin. The drugs were seized alongside two prohibited handguns.

Homes in the Edmonton neighbourhoods of Hogdson, Terwillegar, and Mill Woods were searched on November 27, 2018. The following items were seized:

• 8.7 kilograms of cocaine;
• 216 grams of methamphetamine;
• 8.6 kilograms of a cocaine buffing agent;
• 1,000 packages of cannabis resin;
• two handguns;
• ammunition; and
• $44,800 cash proceeds of crime.

Both handguns had their serial numbers removed. The firearms will be submitted for forensic analysis and ballistic testing to determine if they were used in any crimes.

Three people were arrested on December 11, 2018, and charged with multiple offences, including conspiracy to traffic cocaine:

• James Jackson, a 44-year-old man from Edmonton, is charged with: conspiracy to traffic cocaine; possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (x4); production of a controlled substance; possession of a controlled substance; possession of proceeds of crime; and eight firearms-related charges.
• Richard Comely, a 37-year-old man from Leduc, is charged with: conspiracy to traffic cocaine; possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking; and production of a controlled substance.
• Scott Doberstein, a 38-year-old man from Leduc, is charged with: conspiracy to traffic cocaine; possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking; and production of a controlled substance

ALERT’s investigation began in October 2018 with assistance from Alberta Sheriffs, Edmonton Police Service, and RCMP.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime. Members of Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.

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