Large Amount of Heroin Seized in Edmonton Home

Edmonton… Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) have made their largest heroin seizure in more than five years, seizing nearly $100,000 worth of heroin from an Edmonton home and recovering three firearms.

ALERT’s Edmonton Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), with the assistance of Edmonton Police Service and RCMP members, seized the heroin from a southeast Edmonton home on February 19th. At 289 grams, it is the largest heroin seizure for ALERT since the fall of 2008.

The seizure also comes on the heels of 6.7 kilograms of heroin seized at the Calgary International Airport by the Canada Border Services Agency and the RCMP. Traditionally heroin has not been prevalent in northern Alberta for many years. Police suspect that with manufacturer changes to similar drugs like oxycondone, which was easily abused, heroin demand may increase.

In addition to heroin, investigators also seized $12,000 worth of cocaine, $40,000 in Canadian and U.S. currency, a loaded sawed-off shotgun, a Glock handgun that was previously reported stolen, and a loaded Ruger handgun that had the serial number removed. Two vehicles were also seized as proceeds of crime.

Three Edmonton men were arrested with a total of 14 drug and weapons related charges laid against them.

Alexander Marjan, 22 years old, has been charged with:

• Breach of recognizance.

Ali Madagar, 22 years old, has been charged with:

• Careless storage of a firearm;
• Knowingly possessing a prohibited firearm (x 2).

Simran Bedi, 22 years old, has been charged with:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 2);
• Knowingly possessing a prohibited firearm (x 2);
• Possession of a weapon obtained by commission of offence;
• Possession of a restricted weapon contrary to order;
• Careless storage of a firearm;
• Knowingly possessing a prohibited firearm;
• Possession of property obtained by crime.

The investigation remains on-going and more charges could be forthcoming.