Co-ordinated action by Alberta police has put an end to what is described as a fentanyl superlab near Aldersyde.
The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT), a joint operation by the coalition of various police agencies dubbed Project Essence, involving the execution of 13 search warrants on July 7, stated a Sept. 1 press release.
Searches took place at a suspected fentanyl superlab located near Aldersyde, as well as homes and businesses in the Calgary and Edmonton areas.
The Project Essence operation was investigating all aspects of fentanyl production, from importation to accumulation and stockpiling of equipment and ingredients, as well as production and distribution.
“We appreciate the vital work ALERT does to keep our communities safe and improve the lives of Albertans,” Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Kaycee Madu was quoted as saying in the statement.
“Through Project Essence, ALERT disrupted organized crime endeavours and prevented hundreds of millions of fentanyl doses from potentially entering our communities, and destroying the lives and futures of many Albertans.”
The statement described the seized goods as a having the capacity to produce hundreds of millions of doses, based on estimates by ALERT and Health Canada, and added the lab was capable of producing up to 10 kilograms of fentanyl per week—a kilogram being equivalent to one million doses, with a lethal dose being 2 milligrams.
The drugs seized have an estimated street value of over $300 million and included:
- 13.6 kilograms of fentanyl;
- 11.9 kilograms of the fentanyl late-stage precursors 4-ANPP;
- 6.6 kilograms of synthetic opioids;
- 9.9 kilograms of methamphetamine;
- 50 litres of gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid;
- 3.5 kilograms of buffing agents; and
- 7,600 kilograms of chemicals.
A complete laboratory analysis by Health Canada is still pending, but the press release stated preliminary testing showed chemicals seized included fentanyl late-stage precursor 4-ANPP and the synthetic opioid isotonitazene, which is reported to have a higher potency than fentanyl.
Also seized amongst the narcotics and chemicals were 18 handguns, one rifle, $25,000 in cash and jewelry, six vehicles, four motorcycles, three trailers, and a boat. The assets were seized as proceeds of crime.
The investigation and Project Essence began when ALERT received information in February 2021 of attempts to import 563 kilograms of a chemical used to produce fentanyl.
ALERT credited expertise and assistance by various local and provincial agencies, including the RCMP, the Okotoks Fire Department, and the Foothills Fire Department.
Foothills Fire Chief Rick Saulnier's team was among those who contributed to the HAZMAT cleanup of the superlab site.
"We're always happy to help law enforcement in their operations," Saulnier said.
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.
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