Calgary drug trafficking investigation results in charges against four men

August 21, 2013

Calgary…Four Calgary men face charges after police executed six search warrants as part of a drug trafficking investigation that yielded $120,000 in cash and nearly $100,000 in cocaine and Oxycodone.

The Calgary Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-Calgary) is an integrated team made up of Calgary Police Service (CPS) and RCMP members. On August 13, CFSEU-Calgary worked with CPS to execute search warrants on three vehicles, and three residences located on the 100 block of Millrise Drive Southwest, the 8300 block of Saddleridge Drive Northeast and the 1500 block of Centre A Street Northeast.

Along with the cash, police seized over 570 grams of cocaine, nearly 500 Oxycodone pills, two replica pellet guns, and drug trafficking paraphernalia that included 32 empty kilogram wrappers. The estimated street value of the cocaine is over $50,000, while the Oxycodone is worth approximately $40,000 if sold on the street.

“The large quantity of cash and empty wrappers speak to the group’s sophistication and the volume in drugs being trafficked,” explained CFSEU-Calgary S/Sgt. Martin Schiavetta. “We recognize how important the seizure of cash and assets are to disrupting these groups, and we continue to work with civil forfeiture and law enforcement partners to tackle this kind of complex criminal activity.”

As a result, the following Calgary men are charged:

• Lawrick CHANG, age 32, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking Oxycodone, and possession of proceeds of crime;
• Ryan VENN, age 29, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and possession of proceeds of crime;
• Sidney NAYEL, age 52, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and possession of proceeds of crime; and
• Michael GONSALVES, age 23, is charged with possession of proceeds of crime and was wanted on an outstanding warrant for driving with no insurance.

To report suspicious activity in your community, contact police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

CFSEU-Calgary 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. Nearly 400 municipal police, RCMP and sheriffs work for ALERT.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
S/Sgt. Martin Schiavetta
CFSEU-Calgary
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
403-428-4735

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