Large Amount of Cocaine Seized in Pair of Fort McMurray Busts

Fort McMurray… Two recent ALERT investigations have taken nearly a kilogram and a half of cocaine off the streets of Fort McMurray. Six people were arrested in separate investigations.

ALERT’s organized crime and gang team in Fort McMurray seized nearly $150,000 worth of cocaine. The seizures came with the assistance of Wood Buffalo RCMP, and are part of a concentrated effort to disrupt drug trafficking activities in the community.

“The amount of cocaine seized in these two investigations is significant for a safe community like Fort McMurray,” said Insp. David Dubnyk of ALERT. “Along with getting a gun off the street, these arrests will benefit community safety.”

On May 3, 2017, a home was searched on Manning Avenue, where investigators found 612 grams of crack cocaine, one kilogram of a cocaine buffing agent, and $2,000 cash proceeds of crime.

Two people were arrested and jointly charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking:

• Mohamed Omar, a 24-year-old man from Fort McMurray; and
• Bayan Idris, a 27-year-old man from Fort McMurray.

On May 9, 2017, search warrants were carried out on two Timberlea homes and a vehicle. ALERT seized a shotgun, 860 grams of cocaine, and $10,000 cash proceeds of crime.

Four people were arrested and charged with 11 drug-related offences:

• Jordan Steele, a 33-year-old man from Edmonton;
• Travis Ferko, a 25-year-old man from Edmonton;
• Kyle Koehn, a 25-year-old man from Edmonton; and
• Devyn Smith, a 21-year-old woman from Edmonton.

Anyone with information concerning this investigation is encouraged to contact Fort McMurray’s dedicated gang tipline at 780-788-GANG.

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 Alberta Sheriffs, Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.

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Notice to Media: A photo of the goods seized in these investigations is available for download: Photo