Southern Alberta drug sweep nets meth, property

Raids on homes east of Calgary have netted a large amount of methamphetamine and stolen property that police say was part of an organized crime operation.

Warrants executed Feb. 25 at four homes in Strathmore and two others also led to the arrests of nine people in what the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) says was a drug trafficking network with tentacles throughout southern Alberta.

The operation was part of an investigation dating back to December and led police to stolen property worth $450,000 they say was acquired in exchange for drugs.

Along with the seizure of 561 grams of crystal meth and 126 grams of cocaine, police recovered five stolen pickup trucks, two utility trailers, a pair of recreational vehicles, a transport truck, a skidsteer loader and a flat deck trailer.

The contraband — including drugs valued at nearly $70,000 — was found in the Strathmore homes, as well as a home in nearby Wheatland County and another in Gleichen.

Police also confiscated $9,000 cash and a loaded 9 mm handgun.

ALERT said one of those arrested was suspected ringleader Craig Coffey, 41, of Strathmore. He is charged with instructing the commission of an offence for a criminal organization along with 27 drugs and stolen property offences.

Also charged with numerous drug and property crimes are Echo Brandt, 39, Tracy Brown, 38, Michael Fittler, 27, Kurtis Goett, 19, Gabriella Michaud, 20, and Michael MacCharles, 49, all of Strathmore.

Paul Craig, 42, of Wheatland County and 59-year-old James MacCormack of Gleichen are also charged.

Police are also seeking to arrest Jalene Campbell, 24, and Kyle Labbe, 31, both of Strathmore.