Record Drug Seizures Realized by ALERT in Project Coyote

Calgary… An international investigation involving ALERT and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has intercepted record amounts of cocaine and fentanyl.

Project Coyote was a two-year ALERT Calgary investigation that resulted in the seizure of $15 million worth of drugs, over $4.5 million in cash and assets, and 13 firearms. Seven people have been arrested to date.

The drug seizure is the largest of its kind by ALERT, and its success includes what is believed to be Canada’s largest fentanyl seizure of 250,000 pills. In addition, an 81-kilogram cocaine shipment, destined for Canada, was intercepted in Texas.

Project Coyote sought to dismantle major drug supply lines that were believed to be responsible for the importation of cocaine and fentanyl into Alberta. More than 30 search warrants were conducted over the course of the investigation, and the most recent arrest took place on October 3, 2019.

Some of the major seizures from Project Coyote include:

• 250,000 [alert-tooltip title=”Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug that is much more powerful than many others in the opioid family, including heroin, morphine and codeine. Click for more info.”]fentanyl[/alert-tooltip] pills;
• 98 kilograms of [alert-tooltip title=”Cocaine is a powerful, addictive drug derived from the leaves of coca plants, which are native to parts of South America. Click for more info.”]cocaine[/alert-tooltip];
• 5 kilograms of [alert-tooltip title=”Methamphetamine (or meth) is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system. It is often seen in the form of a white powder with a bitter taste or a pill. Click for more info.”]methamphetamine[/alert-tooltip];
• 7,626 methamphetamine and [alert-tooltip title=”MDMA, also known as ecstasy, was first developed by a German pharmaceutical company in 1912. It was intended as a parent compound to synthesize medications that would control bleeding. Click for more info.”]ecstasy[/alert-tooltip] pills;
• 13 [alert-tooltip title=”More and more, ALERT investigators are finding firearms when they investigate organized crime groups who are involved in drug trafficking. Click to find out more.”]firearms[/alert-tooltip];
• $1.3 million in cash; and
• $3.2 million in restrained assets, including houses and bank accounts.

The record fentanyl seizure took place at a Calgary apartment on February 16, 2018. No one was arrested at the time, and from there ALERT launched an extensive investigation in an attempt to identify the network and source responsible.

Investigators ultimately uncovered an alleged cocaine importation scheme and distribution network. Working in partnership with the U.S. DEA, and with the help of Harris County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office, ALERT was able to intercept an 81-kilogram shipment of cocaine in Houston on May 18, 2019.

The Texas arrest was the catalyst for ALERT to identify the alleged financiers and persons responsible. ALERT alleges that Warren Lowe oversaw an extensive drug distribution network that spanned from British Columbia to Ontario. Based in Calgary, the 53-year-old man faces extensive criminal charges relating to organized crime, drugs, and firearms.

ALERT alleges that Lowe orchestrated cocaine supply lines, and in this instance sent Elizabeth Fisher to facilitate the supply. The 49-year-old Calgary woman was arrested in possession of 81 kilograms of cocaine and has remained in a Texas prison ever since. She is due to appear in a Houston court on March 2, 2020, and a Canadian warrant has been applied for her arrest.

Seven people are currently facing 77 criminal charges, with a breakdown of the individual offences available via the attached document:

• Warren Lowe, a 53-year-old man from Calgary;
• Elizabeth Fisher, a 49-year-old woman from Calgary;
• Richard Fisher, a 44-year-old man from Calgary;
• Emanuel Amha, a 30-year-old man from Calgary;
• Olivier Kenge, a 52-year-old man from Calgary;
• Cole Leblanc, a 30-year-old man from Calgary; and
• Victoria Pon, a 29-year-old woman from Vancouver.

Project Coyote relied on a number of sophisticated police techniques and specialized resources, but ALERT is unable to provide further details on what those were, and what roles they played.

In addition to the partnership with the DEA, Project Coyote involved a number of partner agencies including: Calgary Police Service; Canada Revenue Agency; Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC); Forensic Accounting Management Group (FAMG); U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit-British Columbia; Harris County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office; Canada Border Services Agency; Toronto Police Service; Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit-Greater Toronto Area; Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis; Tsuu T’ina Police Service; and a number of RCMP detachments, including Banff, Toronto Airport, C Division (Quebec), Washington D.C. Liaison Office, and National Weapons Enforcement Support Team.

Since being formed in 2006, ALERT has taken nearly $650 million of harmful drugs off of Alberta streets.

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-tooltip title=”More than 300 municipal police and RCMP officers work together in teams at ALERT to investigate everything from drug trafficking to child exploitation to gang violence. Click for more info.”]ALERT[/alert-tooltip] 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.

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Notices to media:

• List of individuals charged available for download [PDF]
• Project Coyote infographic available for download [PDF]