News release from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT)

ALERT drug bust spanned multiple communities

Half a million dollars’ worth of drugs was seized after ALERT searched multiple homes in Edmonton and Wainright, Atla. Three vehicles and more than $50,000 cash were also seized as offence related property.

ALERT Edmonton’s organized crime team charged two suspects on June 6, 2022, and earlier this year had executed search warrants at two homes in Edmonton, and one in Wainright, Alta.

The investigation began in November 2021 and came in relation to Grande Prairie-based drug trafficking network from a previous RCMP investigation.

“ALERT is always looking to expand the scope of investigations and move up the food chain. We rely on criminal intelligence from our partner agencies to collaboratively dismantle these types of multi-jurisdictional drug networks,” said Acting Inspector Blayne Eliuk, ALERT Edmonton.

The drugs seized have an estimated street value in excess of $500,000 and includes:

• One shotgun;
• 10 handgun converter switches;
• 1,011 grams of methamphetamine;
• 3,882 grams of cocaine;
• 14,730 grams of a cocaine buffing agent;
• 2,022 grams of cannabis;
• 51 grams of fentanyl;
• 28 cases of contraband tobacco products;
• Thee vehicles;
• $55,032 cash.

The converter switches are a prohibited device used to transform Glock handguns into a prohibited firearm.

The vehicles and cash were seized as offence related property and will be considered for civil forfeiture. One of the vehicles was a 2021 Cadillac Escalade, worth an estimated $130,000.

John McKee, a 39-year-old man from Edmonton, is charged with drug trafficking, possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, and possession of a prohibited device.

Nathan Newman, a 28-year-old man from Wainright, is charged with drug trafficking, possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a prohibited device, careless use of a firearm, and tobacco distribution.

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.