Lethbridge Crack Cocaine Seizure Valued at $50,000

Lethbridge… Six people were arrested following a significant cocaine seizure in Lethbridge. ALERT seized more than $50,000 worth of crack cocaine as result of an investigation tied to a previous bust.

ALERT Lethbridge’s organized crime and gang team made the seizure on November 23, 2016 with the help of Lethbridge Police Service and RCMP. A north Lethbridge home, located in the 1300-block of 23 Street North, was searched and 526 grams of crack cocaine located.

The most recent seizure came in connection to drug bust that took place the previous week when homes on Meadowlark Boulevard and 1300-block of 7 Street North were searched. ALERT was able to use information gained during that initial investigation to move up the drug chain and identify the alleged suppliers.

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The drugs seized on November 23 have an estimated street value of over $50,000 and include:

• 526 grams of cocaine;
• 22 grams of a buffing agent;
• 15 oxycodone pills;
• Replica firearm;
• $3,340 cash proceeds of crime.

Six people were arrested and face a total of 14 criminal charges related to drug trafficking:

• Abdual Kadir Salad, 20, of Calgary;
• Mohammed Yusuf Isse, 26, of Ottawa;
• Liban Mohamed Hassan, 31, of Calgary;
• Hanad Warsame, 22, of Toronto;
• Walter Courtoreille, 55, of Lethbridge;
• Paul McCarthy, 37, of Lethbridge.

Salad and Isse were both charged in the first phase of the investigation and were released on bail. In addition to new drug charges, they are also charged with breach of recognizance charges.

Warsame was wanted on warrants in relation to a drug trafficking investigation in Yellowknife, NWT.

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.