Two people from North Battleford arrested in $55-million Alberta drug bust

A huge drug bust in Alberta saw $55 million worth of methamphetamine and cocaine seized by police this week.

Fifteen people were arrested during the bust, including two from North Battleford.

According to the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team, the cross-border operation known as Project Cobra netted 928 kilograms of methamphetamine and six kilograms of cocaine, along with the seizure of more than $7 million in assets, including homes and luxury cars. Police also seized 19 firearms, including rifles and submachine guns.

The operation involved officers from Calgary, Niagara and Edmonton along with U.S. Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Canada Revenue Agency, and more. RCMP officers from Saskatoon and North Battleford were also involved, along with Mounties from Ontario and Nova Scotia.

The operation began in 2020, and a series of search warrants were executed in several locations in 2021. The seizures included a $3.5-million home in Niagara-on-the-Lake, two Lamborghinis, a Porsche, classic cars, and $200,000 in cash, police said.

During Project Cobra, police seized five kilograms of cocaine in North Battleford, and arrested a 25-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man from the Saskatchewan city. Both were charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, and the man was further charged with possession of the proceeds of crime.

In total, 80 criminal charges were laid against 15 people and one company. Fouani Equity Funds Ltd., a Calgary investment company, was charged with laundering proceeds of crime for an organized crime group.