ALERT surpasses $500 million worth of drugs seized

Calgary… Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) have seized more than $500 million worth of drugs from Alberta streets since being formed by the province in 2006 to tackle serious and organized crime.

“The more than half a billion dollars of seized drugs showcases ALERT’s effectiveness in removing drugs from the streets and disrupting organized crime,” said Jonathan Denis, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. “On behalf of all Albertans, I thank ALERT for all they do to help keep our communities safe.”

ALERT reached the half-billion dollar milestone in late 2013, and the dollar figure is based on estimated potential street values of the drugs. If laid end-to-end in $100 bills, the total of $511,970,145 worth of drugs seized between 2007 and the end of December 2013 would reach from Fort McMurray to Lethbridge.

The most valuable drug seized in terms of total value has been marihuana, followed by cocaine and methamphetamine.

“The drug trade is directly tied to much of Alberta’s serious and violent crimes and by targeting organized crime groups ALERT has lowered the rates of victimization related to drugs, weapons and fraud offences,” said ALERT CEO Charmaine Bulger.

To date, ALERT has also seized more than 400 firearms and arrested nearly 7,000 offenders. ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta government to bring together the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources. It includes nearly 400 municipal police, RCMP and sheriffs.

Annual* value of seized drugs 

2007-08                       $55,004,090

2008-09                       $91,210,088

2009-10                       $100,821,609

2010-11                       $134,468,016

2011-12                       $54,356,636

2012-13                       $55,312,221

2013-Pres                   $20,797,485

* Numbers are based on a fiscal year of April 1 to March 31