COKE BUST 'BIGGEST EVER'

Police Seize $4m In City Raid

In what's being called the largest cocaine bust in Alberta history,
Calgary police seized more than $4 million worth of the drug believed
to be headed for small-town Alberta.

The investigation -- led by detectives Mark Hatchette and Paul Wozney
with assistance from the drug and gang units and the Edmonton Police
Service -- spanned five months and also led to the seizure of numerous
assault rifles and the arrest of a known Edmonton gang member.

More than 35 officers were involved in the busts that took place
Monday and Tuesday on two homes -- one in the 4400 block of 33 Ave.
S.W. and the other in the 100 block of Brightondale Parade S.E. -- as
well as in two BMWs, each with a significant amount of cocaine stashed
in hidden compartments, said Hatchette.

"This is extremely significant and we're very confident this is the
biggest cocaine bust in CPS history," he said.

In total, police seized 40 kg of cocaine, 10 guns including five
assault rifles, three handguns, and two shotguns, ammunition stashed
in hollowed-out battery chargers, steroids and hash.

Police also discovered a machine that manufactures ecstasy tablets and
imprints them with the signature of a tiny alien head.

The arrest of three men, including a gangster known to Calgary and
Edmonton police, will seriously impact the distribution of cocaine
within southern Alberta, said Wozney.

"These aren't street-level guys," he said. "These guys are the top of
the heap and now they can't sell it to the mid-level guys who can't
sell it to the street-level dealers.

"The coke is nice to get off the streets, but in terms of public
safety, the firearms are very significant."

Police are investigating whether the Edmonton gangster, who has been
recently residing in Calgary, has ties to local street gangs.

They have also sent the guns for ballistics testing to determine
whether they have been used in any crimes.

Staff Sgt. Monty Sparrow of the drug unit said because there is about
200 kg of cocaine coming into Calgary on a weekly basis, the real
impact of this bust will be in the rural areas.

"The majority of drugs that come into Calgary don't stay in Calgary,"
he said.