By Canadian Press

innisfail RCMP involved in investigation

ALERT busts Alberta-B.C. drug pipeline

Jun 12, 2019 | 11:48 AM

Police have arrested 12 people after busting what they call a drug pipeline between Alberta and British Columbia.

Investigators say a two-year probe — dubbed Project Elder — looked into interprovincial wholesale drug distribution.

They say a high volume of drugs was being shipped from B-C to Alberta using a complex scheme that used vehicles with hidden compartments.

Project Elder concluded on June 5 with several arrests taking place. Additional arrests and search warrants were staggered over the course of the investigation and took place in Edmonton, Calgary, Innisfail, and Vancouver.

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Two homes, two businesses and multiple vehicles were searched. The drugs alone have an estimated street value of $1.5 million. Items seized include:

• 9.3 kilograms of cocaine;

• 17.2 kilograms of a cocaine buffing agent;

• 6.0 kilograms of methamphetamine;

• 684 grams of fentanyl powder;

• $514,335 cash;

• a handgun with suppressor and expanded magazine; and

• 5 vehicles with hidden compartments.

ALERT used a number of sophisticated techniques and specialized resources to dismantle the group. Project Elder relied heavily on the assistance of: Edmonton Police Service; CFSEU-BC; North Vancouver RCMP; RCMP E-Division; Innisfail RCMP; RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime; and Alberta Sheriffs surveillance team.

ALERT alleges that Neil Kravets coordinated the supply of drugs from B.C. and oversaw the group’s activities. The 28-year-old man from North Vancouver has subsequently been charged with instructing a criminal organization, among a host of other charges.

Eleven suspects with Kravets’s alleged drug network were arrested, many of whom were charged with participation in a criminal organization and conspiracy to traffic cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.

(Canadian Press, ALERT media release)