Suspected Calgary drug dealer arrested again

Calgary… A suspected Calgary drug dealer was arrested by ALERT after a wide assortment of drugs and a handgun was seized. Two Calgary homes were searched.

Hai Nguyen was arrested by ALERT Calgary’s organized crime team on August 15, 2023 with the help of the Calgary Police Service. The 40-year-old suspect was charged with 23 criminal offences, including 15 breach charges in relation to his other recent arrest as part of the ALERT investigation Project Carlos.

ALERT alleges that Nguyen was involved in drug trafficking in the Calgary area in early August 2023. Two addresses associated to Nguyen were identified and search warrants were executed at homes in the Forest Lawn and Marlborough neighbourhoods.

“ALERT remains diligent in cracking down on drug trafficking offences and organized crime activity. Our investigative team acted quickly to get this individual back in custody with a series of new charges now before the courts,” said Staff Sergeant Jeff Ringelberg, ALERT Calgary.

ALERT seized a loaded handgun along with an estimated $175,000 worth of drugs and cash:

• 355 fentanyl pills;
• 6 grams of fentanyl powder;
• 976 grams of cocaine;
• 16,677 grams of a suspected cocaine buffing agent;
• 3 grams of methamphetamine;
• 21 grams of MDMA; and
• $8,705 cash.

One of the homes was allegedly being used as a cocaine conversion lab, where powder cocaine was being manufactured into crack cocaine.

Nguyen’s latest charges total 23 criminal offences, and include:

• Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking (x3);
• Production of a controlled substance;
• Possession of property obtained by crime;
• Careless use of a firearm;
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm;
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon; and
• Breach of recognizance (x15).

Nguyen remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on September 11, 2023.

ALERT’s investigation remains ongoing and further arrests are being considered.

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.