Three face trafficking charges after raids unearth cocaine worth $1M

EDMONTON More than $1 million worth of drugs, including close to nine kilograms of cocaine, have been seized by Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams’ organized crime and gang unit.

Officers raided three homes in the Hodgson, Terwillegar and Mill Woods neighbourhoods late last month, which led to the arrest of three men on Tuesday. Collectively they are facing more than 20 charges.

As well as the cocaine, officers seized about nine kilograms of cocaine buffing agent, cannabis resin, a small quantity of methamphetamine and about $45,000 in cash.

The Mill Woods home was being used to convert cocaine into crack cocaine, the integrated police force’s spokesman Mike Tucker told a news conference Wednesday.

Two handguns with their serial numbers removed and ammunition were also found.

Tucker said the firearms will be submitted for forensic analysis and ballistic testing to determine if they were used in any crimes.

“Drug trafficking at this level cuts at our social fabric and perpetuates health and addiction issues, not to mention the inherent violence in the drug trade,” Tucker said.

“Drug trafficking remains at the heart of organized crime and there isn’t a community in the province that is immune.”

James Jackson, 44, of Edmonton is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine, four counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, production of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of proceeds of crime and eight firearms-related charges.

Scott Doberstein, 38, of Leduc, is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and production of a controlled substance.

Richard Comely, 37, of Leduc, is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, and production of a controlled substance.

Comely had previously been arrested in 2015 and faced drugrelated charges in relation to another ALERT bust that seized more than seven kilograms of cocaine and quantities of other drugs with a total estimated street value of more than $850,000.

So far this year ALERT has seized more than $6 million worth of drugs, Tucker said.

ALERT Police officers seized drugs worth more than $1 million including close to nine kilograms of cocaine, nine kilograms of cocaine buffing agent, cannabis resin, methamphetamine, about $45,000 in cash, and guns.