One of the drug shipments intercepted as part of Project Cobra. (Image: ALERT)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

$55 million worth of drugs confiscated in connection to Alberta operation

Sep 28, 2022 | 5:25 PM

CALGARY – The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) has laid charges against 15 people and one company in connection to a massive drug trafficking network.

ALERT, along with RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, have seized an estimated $55 million worth of methamphetamine and cocaine in what officials have dubbed “Project Cobra.”

Project Cobra is a nearly three-year organized crime investigation into transnational drug importation, drug trafficking, and money laundering.

A total of 928 kilograms of meth and six kilograms of cocaine were confiscated as well as $7 million worth of assets.

ALERT says they also seized 19 firearms including handguns, rifles, submachine guns, and suppressors, as well as several valuable assets.

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“Seven million dollars worth of property, bank accounts, luxury vehicles, and other suspected proceeds of crime has been seized or placed under criminal restraint,” ALERT says in a media release. “This includes a $3.5 million home in Niagara-on-the-Lake, two Lamborghinis, a Porsche, classic cars, and $200,000 cash.”

Several drug shipments were destined for Alberta and included the following seizures:

• 342 kg of meth in Wyoming
• 308 kg of meth in Los Angeles
• 137 kg of meth in Calgary
• 84 kg of meth in Los Angeles
• 50 kg of meth at Lake Koocanusa, B.C.
• 7 kg of meth and 1 kg of cocaine in Calgary
• 5 kg of cocaine in North Battleford, Sask.

A total of 80 criminal charges have been issued:

• Elias Ade, 38, Calgary, was charged with 12 offences
• Abdul Akbar, 37, of Calgary, was charged with eight offences
• Tianna Bull, 25, of North Battleford, charged with one offence
• Russell Ens, 39, of North Battleford, was charged with two offences
• Talal Fouani, 46, of Calgary, was charged with three offences
• Belal Fouani, 44, of Calgary, was charged with three offences
• Kari-Lynn Grant, 51, Calgary, was charged with four offences
• Scott Hunt, 33, of Calgary, was charged with three offences
• Ricco King, 50, of Bedford, N.S., was charged with five offences
• Jarett Mackenzie, 32, of Calgary, was charged with six offences
• Jesse Marshall, 52, of Calgary, was charged with four offences
• Daniel Menzul, 32, of Calgary, was charged with four offences
• Sean Nesbitt, 44, of Calgary, was charged with three offences
• William Whiteford, 39, of Leduc County, was charged with 20 offences
• Fouani Equity Funds Ltd. charged with one offence

The full list of charges can be found on the ALERT website.