A 42-year-old Edmonton man has been charged after more than $7 million worth of drugs were seized in a drug importation investigation earlier this year.
The months-long investigation looked at the importation of drugs across the border using commercial transport vehicles. This resulted in 38 kilograms of cocaine and 30 kilograms of heroin being seized by the Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET).
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The drugs have a street value of about $7 million, IBET said in a news release Thursday.
It is not known when the drugs were seized or at which border crossing. Global News reached out to IBET for more information.
“This complex investigation, which spanned several months, is a good demonstration of the importance of interagency cooperation,” said Supt. Sean Boser, OIC of Federal Policing.
“Investigators were able to prevent 68 kg of cocaine and heroin from affecting Alberta’s communities and potentially save lives.”
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The investigation was a collaboration with the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency and Calgary Police Service.
“Through excellent teamwork, we were able to remove a significant stash of drugs that were likely destined to target vulnerable addicted individuals. These are people who feed their supply through crime that affects our wider communities,” Acting Supt. Melanie Oncescu of the CPS Criminal Operations and Intelligence Division.
On October 13, David Phanthikane was charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Phanthikane will appear in provincial court in Edmonton on Thursday.
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