Asset 1ALERT-Wide-White

UPDATE: Large-Scale Fentanyl Seizure

UPDATE: Large-Scale Fentanyl Seizure

Edmonton… Two Edmonton residents have been charged in connection with a lengthy and complex fentanyl production investigation by ALERT.

ALERT, the province’s integrated response to serious and organized crime, seized 100 kilograms of the fentanyl precursor N-phenethylpiperidinone (NPP), four kilograms of W-18 powder, and 3,200 fentanyl pills containing W-18. Based on conservative estimates, the 100 kilograms of NPP could produce a theoretical yield of 38,000,000 fentanyl pills.

Project Alchemy was a nine-month ALERT Edmonton fentanyl production investigation that concluded with arrests on July 6, 2016. The investigation dates back to October 2015 when Canada Border Services Agency officers at the Edmonton International Airport intercepted 100 kilograms of the fentanyl precursor NPP. The powder was contained in four barrels and originated in China. CBSA referred the seizure to ALERT who conducted a follow up investigation.

ALERT dedicated a significant amount of time, resources, and made this investigation its highest priority given the public safety ramifications. On December 9, 2015 search warrants were conducted at an Edmonton home, a Red Deer County business, and a suspected fentanyl lab in Leduc County.

Deputy Commissioner Marianne Ryan, Commanding Officer of the Alberta RCMP stated, “(As the Commanding Officer of the RCMP in Alberta), I want to emphasize our commitment to disrupting the criminal activity of those who would try to destroy our communities through the drug trade. Together with our law enforcement partners in ALERT and the CBSA, we will continue to focus on reducing social harms related to substance abuse.”

The following items were seized from the Leduc County rural residence:

  • 4 kilograms of an unknown powder, later determined to be W-18;
  • 1.5 kilograms of N-phenethylpiperidinone (NPP);
  • 46 kilograms of caffeine powder used as a binding agent;
  • 3,200 fentanyl pills;
  • 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine;
  • 10 litres of gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB);
  • Pill press;
  • Powder mixer;
  • 5 vehicles.

The fentanyl pills seized in Leduc County were white and had similar markings to a Percocet pill. The pills were confirmed as fentanyl after initial lab analysis, but only recently did further testing reveal that the pills also contained W-18. ALERT issued a public notification concerning the W-18 powder seizure on April 20, 2016.

The search warrant at the southeast Edmonton home of the accused resulted in the seizure of chemicals used in the production of MDMA, firearms, and cash:

  • 2 kilograms of benzylpiperazine (BZP);
  • 2 kilograms of Trifluoromethylphenylpiperazinem (TFMPP);
  • Loaded shotgun;
  • Ruger SR22 semi-automatic rifle;
  • Various ammunition and 2 prohibited magazines;
  • $8,500 cash proceeds of crime.

Between the date of the search warrants and time of arrest, ALERT has been diligently pursuing all investigative avenues including lab analysis, technological crimes analysis, and DNA analysis. ALERT received assistance from Edmonton Police, Alberta Sheriffs, RCMP, CBSA, Health Canada, Emergency Medical Services, Edmonton Airports Emergency Services, and Leduc County Emergency Services.

Dean Clayton Abbott, 41, and Shavon Carlene Wenger, 32, were arrested on July 6, 2016 and have been charged with numerous drug offences. Abbott and Wenger have been jointly charged with:

  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 2);
  • Possession of proceeds of crime (x 2);
  • Possession of a firearm without a license;
  • Storage of a firearms contrary to regulation;
  • Possessing a firearm without a license;
  • Storing a firearm contrary to regulation;
  • Possessing a prohibited device without a license;
  • Carless storage of a prohibited device.

Abbott also faces the additional charges of:

  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 2);
  • Possession of proceeds of crime (x 4);
  • Possession of stolen property.

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

Alchemy

Since 2022, CISA has been guided by four pillars that focus the effort to promote an integrated, intelligence-led approach to combating organized crime; these are:

  • Building Relationships with Stakeholders;
  • Promote Intel Sharing Across the Province;
  • Being Proactive and Identify Emerging Trends; and
  • Investing in Our People Through Training and Development

 

Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta (CISA) has recently developed an Alberta Firearms Intelligence Centre (AFIC) to equitably expand access to firearms intelligence for all law enforcement agencies within Alberta. AFIC will provide timely, accurate, and actionable intelligence to law enforcement agencies and policy-makers to achieve the shared and collaborative goals of increasing public safety concerning firearm-related crimes.

Protecting Kids Online | Internet Child Exploitation

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

FILE INTAKES

680

872

1,149

1,114

3,815

2,994

2,764

SUSPECTS CHARGED

22

16

34

37

109

81

125

CHARGES LAID

87

45

123

160

415

351

413

CHILDREN RESCUED

26

78

56

43

203

46

100

EXHIBITS SEIZED

335

368

545

476

1,724

1,243

1,845

TOTAL PHOTOS/VIDEOS

262,400

511,133

1,374,310

606,254

2,754,097

2,551,921

13,260,819

Stopping Human Trafficking | HUMAN TRAFFICKING & COUNTER EXPLOITATION

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

SUSPECTS CHARGED

13

10

7

4

34

30

76

CHARGES LAID

79

46

87

19

231

96

157

VICTIM INTERVENTIONS

30

29

17

37

113

28

22

Intelligence & Expertise | CISA / Training

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

INTELLIGENCE REPORTS

409

296

327

442

1,474

1,560

1,318

TRAINING COURSES

5

3

8

11

27

36

25

CANDIDATES TRAINED

321

56

135

350

862

933

638

Disrupt & Dismantle Organized Crime | Combined Special Forces Enforcement

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

SUSPECTS CHARGED

40

27

42

32

141

197

168

CHARGES LAID

176

156

237

231

800

1,088

820

FIREARMS SEIZED

105

53

26

48

232

102

126

EST. VALUE OF DRUGS SEIZED

$906,814

$553,851

$2,725,161

$1,148,337

$5,334,163

$10,898,269

$334,093,020

PROCEEDS OF CRIME SEIZED

$218,133

$52,970

$130,996

$230,195

$632,294

$1,432,847

$21,740,617

ANNUAL Regional ResultS

ARRESTS

CHARGES

FIREARMS

DRUGS

PROCEEDS

CALGARY

24

110

14

$937,422

$65,881

EDMONTON

17

131

45

$592,839

$272,446

FORT MCMURRAY

8

78

4

$352,942

$144,301

GRANDE PRAIRIE

7

17

13

$192,145

$31,855

LETHBRIDGE

7

29

44

$349,773

$51,245

LLOYDMINSTER

24

93

41

$164,134

$12,504

MEDICINE HAT

37

179

13

$293,108

$7,861

RED DEER

17

163

58

$2,451,800

$46,201

TOTALS

141

800

232

$5,334,163

$632,294

Organized Property Crimes | Auto Crimes

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

SUSPECTS CHARGED

1

1

2

1

10

CHARGES LAID

11

47

STOLEN VEHICLES

23

15

1

6

45

245

118

RECOVERED ASSETS

$1,432,000

$941,025

$108,000

$260,000

$2,741025

$8,420,500

$3,919,500

Firearms investigations | Firearms lab & Gang suPpression teams

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

FIREARMS EXAMINATIONS

349

351

243

235

1,178

EXHIBIT EXAMINATIONS

1,316

1,409

891

1,099

4,715

SERIAL NUMBER RESTORATIONS

31

34

19

24

108

IBIS SUBMISSIONS

343

421

1,334

304

2,402

GUN SEIZURES

1

14

15

SUSPECTS CHARGED

4

22

26

CHARGES LAID

41

144

185

Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) involves images and/or videos that depict the sexual abuse of minors – the majority of which involve prepubescent children. Often, CSAM involves explicit and/or extreme sexual assaults against the child victim (Cybertip.ca).

Learn more about Internet Child Exploitation and ALERT’s integrated teams combatting this issue.

Ghost Guns are illegal, privately manufactured firearms or lower receivers. These weapons are often made with 3D-printers, and undermine public safety due to their lack of licensing requirements, serialization and safety controls.

Learn more about Ghost Guns on ALERT’s dedicated Privately Manufactured Firearms info page