By Brook Wagner on August 7, 2026.

A provincial organized crime unit says a 10-month drug investigation netted 17 guns and eight vehicles on top of massive drug and cash bust. Several people have been arrested, though no charges have been laid yet.–HANDOUT PHOTObwagner@medicinehatnews.com
Alberta’s organized crime police agency has seized more than $7 million in illegal drugs, a record cash haul of more than $1.15 million and 17 firearms after a 10-month drug trafficking investigation in Edmonton and Calgary.
The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, known as ALERT, said the seizure ranks among the largest in the agency’s history. The exact cash total, $1,156,863, is the biggest ever recorded by ALERT in its 20-year history.
Most of the drug value came from cocaine. ALERT seized 66.5 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $6.65 million. Officers also seized 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 3,494 suspected fentanyl pills, 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and 2.3 kilograms of psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms.
According to ALERT the group used vehicles fitted with hidden compartments to move drugs and cash, mostly between the province’s two largest centres.
Over the 10-month investigation, homes in Edmonton, Calgary, St. Albert and Sturgeon County were searched. The most recent searches, at six homes, took place on July 16.
ALERT Edmonton’s organized crime team led the case, with help from the Edmonton Police Service, the Calgary Police Service and the RCMP.
The 17 firearms included six handguns and 11 rifles. ALERT said the guns will be sent to the Provincial Firearms Solutions Lab for analysis and ballistics testing to check whether they were used in other crimes.
The cash and eight vehicles were taken as offence-related property, and ALERT said it will consult the province’s Civil Forfeiture Office about them.
Several suspects were arrested, but no charges have been laid. ALERT said the investigation continues as officers prepare reports and disclosure for Crown prosecutors.
The agency said the case grew out of criminal intelligence dating back to November 2025 about wholesale drug transporters working between Alberta’s two biggest cities.
ALERT operates across Alberta and runs a Medicine Hat organized crime team.
ALERT asked anyone who suspects drug or gang activity to call local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous.
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