Drug-related charges against well-known landlord dropped

Drug charges against a well-known inner city landlord have been withdrawn.

Paul Moreau, lawyer for Abdullah Shah, said the Crown withdrew drug-related charges against his client Friday.

The charges were in connection with a raid on a commercial warehouse connected to Shah that happened in March 2016. The charges included possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime and breach of recognizance, Moreau said. All were withdrawn, including charges against three co-accused.

Moreau said there were errors in how police obtained their search warrants.

“The case was the subject of lengthy conversations between myself and the prosecutor,” Moreau said. “As a result of what I said to him, he made the decision that the case could not be prosecuted. So it was brought forward to court today and the Crown simply said ‘all charges are being withdrawn.’”

Shah, who is also known as Gohar Pervez and Carmen Pervez, is a well-known Edmonton landlord who pleaded guilty to mortgage fraud in 2008 and spent time in jail.

Shah was also charged in connection with a raid on a warehouse in late 2015.

Moreau said Shah is pleased the charges were tossed.

“Absolutely, it’s been a marathon for him,” he said. “This has been going since 2015.”

This is not the only unsuccessful

prosecution against Shah in recent months.

Earlier this year, a provincial court judge stayed proceedings against a group of Edmonton property owners including Shah over

As a result of what I said to him, he made the decision that the case could not be prosecuted.

delays in bringing the case to trial.

The case dealt with dozens of alleged defects at a home owned or controlled by four individuals and an Alberta numbered company.

The defendants faced 27 counts under the Public Health Act. Judge L.G. Anderson granted a stay because it took more than 18 months to bring the case to trial.