Three Arrested in Edmonton Fentanyl Raid

Edmonton… More than 1,200 fentanyl pills were seized from an Edmonton home and ALERT arrested three suspected drug dealers.

ALERT Edmonton made the seizure on April 20 after finding the potent pills alongside a variety of other drugs at an apartment in the McQueen neighbourhood of Edmonton. ALERT also seized cash and a new Mercedes SUV from a home in the Castle Downs area. The total value of the bust is estimated at $340,000.

The results of the search warrant included:

• 1,255 fentanyl pills;
• 391 grams of methamphetamine;
• 138 grams of cocaine;
• 3.6 kilograms of marijuana;
• 399 grams of cannabis resin;
• 190 grams of a cocaine buffing agent;
• $123,678 cash proceeds of crime;
• 2015 Mercedes Benz SUV.

ALERT will pursue civil forfeiture for the cash and vehicle seized.

Three people were arrested. Josh Termul, 26, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 5) and trafficking. Shawki El Jurdi, 25, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. Nidal Chmait, 25, is charged with possession of an offensive weapon (x 2).

ALERT began the investigation in March after receiving information about suspected fentanyl distribution in the Edmonton and surrounding areas. In the past two years ALERT has now seized upwards of 30,000 fentanyl pills from across the province, with roughly 9,000 in the Edmonton area.

ALERT’S LARGEST FENTANYL SEIZURES
11,597 – Calgary – Feb 2015
2,800 – Fort McMurray – Jun 2015
1,866 – Grande Prairie – Oct 2014
1,286 – Edmonton – Mar 2015
1,255 – Edmonton – Apr 2016