POLICE SEIZE $10M IN DRUGS
Calgary man arrested after drugs worth almost $10 million seized from vehicle
Among largest busts in 20 years
One man has been charged after Calgary police completed one of their largest drug seizures in 20 years. Last week, officers seized nearly $10 million worth of cocaine and crystal methamphetamine from a vehicle near Drumheller.
The investigation began in November, when police received information from other agencies linking a Calgary resident to the transportation of drugs across Canada.
The Calgary Police Service Gang Enforcement Team used covert resources to gather evidence, which led officers, with assistance from Drumheller RCMP, to arrest the suspect Thursday when he stopped his vehicle near Dorothy.
He was taken into custody without incident and police searched his vehicle.
Police say they found 46.9 kg of cocaine in uncut bricks with an estimated wholesale value of $2.4 million and street value of $4.69 million.
They also seized 47.5 kg of crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated wholesale value of $2.38 million and a street value of $4.75 million. Police found the drugs in bags in the back of the suspect’s pickup truck.
“It’s a very large seizure for us. Typically, we don’t see seizures of this size, even though we know people are trafficking in large amounts,” said Calgary police Staff Sgt. Kyle Grant.
According to Grant, the drugs originated in Ontario and were destined for Alberta.
Police from Winnipeg and Edmonton also aided in the investigation.
Jacob Cody Neumann, 33, of Calgary,
is charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
He is scheduled to appear in court Friday.
A police investigation into the origin of the drugs as well other parties involved is ongoing.
A drug bust of this scope will have a significant effect on Alberta communities, Grant says.
“Drugs fuel the violence within our city. It drives crime and it takes a well-run network, whether you want to call it organized or not, to be able to distribute large amounts of drugs such as this,” he said. “We have no idea how many overdoses we could prevent, (or) other crimes associated to dealing drugs. I think it’s astronomical.
“There will definitely be a ripple effect and it will be felt within Alberta that this has been taken off the street.”