The response teams of Alberta’s Law (Alert) broke a cross -border drug ring linked to Mexican posters and confiscated what he says is its largest amount of cocaine.
The two -year Cerberus project, which takes its name from the hound of three heads that protects at the doors of the underworld in Greek mythology, began in May 2023, with the help of RCMP, the Calgary Police and the drug control administration of the United States. He wrapped this month.
According to Alert, the network would obtain the cocaine of Mexican posters, would transport it through the United States, then import it and distribute it in Canada de Columbia Britanic to Ontario.
Five men from Alberta, two from Calgary and three from Edmonton, have been arrested and now face 31 combined charges related to organized crimes, drugs, money laundering and conspiracy.
A sixth man, from Edmonton, was first arrested as part of the investigation in October 2024 after 96 kilograms of cocaine were found in a house in Houston. Alert says he was involved in the transport of drugs through the United States on the way to Canada. He was sentenced to more than 11 years in the Federal Prison of the United States.
In addition to the arrests, the officials confiscated 157 kilograms of cocaine, which alert says that it was tested between 96 and 98 percent of purity and would have a street value of more than $ 15 million.
The officials also confiscated 15 firearms, almost one million dollars in cash and seven vehicles adapted with hidden compartments.
The first seized cocaine was found in that compartment, when Manitoba RCMP discovered 61 kilograms of the hidden drug in a vehicle near Richer, Man., In March 2024.
Sergeant Matt Pumphrey, an RCMP officer assigned to Calgary Alert, says that these compartments were operated by a complex hydraulic system. He considers them the most surprising finding of research.
“Our information suggests that the organized crime group was paying more than $ 50,000 to install these hidden compartments, and this speaks of the sophistication of its operation and reason for profits,” Pumphrey said.
Remove a ‘fall in bucket’
These types of methods to hide drugs in vehicles are used “all the time,” said Kelly Sundberg, former officer of the Canada Border Services Agency and now a professor of Criminology at Mount Royal University. But it warns that the tools to identify them on the border are not available throughout the day at all crosses.
He would like to see the K-9 units of drug and X-ray scan technology available in all input ports 24/7.
“Is it going to be expensive? Will it require a lot of training and many resources? Will absolutely do it. But, will save lives,” said Sundberg.
“Can you imagine if we only had metal detectors and passenger projection in some airports, and if we had it, we only did it from time to time?” Sindberg said. “It would be ridiculous.”
While Sundberg applauds the results of the investigation and the province for taking the lead, it believes until it intensifies, this represents “a fall in the bucket.”
Theitope Oriola, professor of criminology at the University of Alberta, says that the bust is a “massive agreement”, but warns that this type of criminal networks can adapt quickly and continue operating.
“Unfortunately, these are multiple entities with hydration head,” Oriola said.
“This is an incredible achievement by the application of the law in Canada and the United States, but it may not indicate the end of the particularly organized criminal union here.”
