Calgary: A fully automatic AK-47 assault rifle was seized alongside nearly $1 million worth of illegal drugs and arms in a recent drug trafficking takedown by Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).
The six-month investigation focused on several individuals who had recently relocated from Vancouver’s lower mainland, and were attempting to gain a foothold in the Calgary drug market. Three people were arrested on April 28th when ALERT’s Calgary Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, Calgary Police Service (CPS) and RCMP members executed four search warrants.
The search warrants uncovered a stash of drugs, weapons, and cash, as well as a full-scale cocaine conversion lab. The total value of the drugs seized is estimated at $969,940.The Phenacetin seizure at 115 kilograms is the largest in the history of ALERT. Phenacetin, also known as “Superbuff” is a cutting agent used to dilute the purity of cocaine in order to maximize profits.
Huy Nguyen, 26, Duy Dao, 24, and Jonathon Chieh, 23, are facing a combined 64 drug and weapons related charges and additional charges are being contemplated.