Edmonton… A drug supply shipment containing two thousand fentanyl pills and 60 kilograms of marijuana was seized in an ALERT investigation tied to British Columbia. The seizure marks ALERT’s largest fentanyl seizure in Edmonton.
ALERT Edmonton’s organized crime and gang team received information that a vehicle was returning to the Edmonton area from the B.C. lower mainland and contained a large shipment of drugs. The vehicle was located on June 3, and subsequently three Edmonton homes were searched.
ALERT received assistance from Edmonton Police Service, RCMP, and Alberta Sheriffs members. The search warrants occurred in the Rutherford, Terwillegar, and Lewis Estates neighbourhoods.
The 2,000 fentanyl pills were seized from a condominium on Hanna Crescent and are believed to have originated in B.C. The fentanyl seizure in the largest of its kind by the Edmonton team and is ALERT’s third largest fentanyl seizure overall.
The drugs seized have an estimated value of $866,000.
- 2,000 fentanyl pills;
- 4 kilograms of marijuana shatter;
- 58 kilograms of dried marijuana;
- 5 grams of cocaine;
- Body armour;
- Taser;
- 650 rounds of ammunition and prohibited magazine;
- $26,000 cash proceeds of crime.
In addition two vehicles, worth an estimated $35,000 were seized as offence related property. One of the vehicles was equipped with a hidden compartment used for transporting drugs. The vehicles and cash will be submitted to civil forfeiture.
Edmonton residents Christopher Jervis, 28, James Jervis-Hilker, 35, and Billy Roche, 28, were arrested. ALERT believes the accused were bringing drugs in from B.C. and distributing in the Edmonton area. ALERT began the investigation in early May 2016.
Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.
ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime. Members of Alberta Sheriffs, Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.