More than $125,000 worth of drugs and a number of deadly weapons have been taken off the streets of Bonnyville after local RCMP, in partnership with ALERT Edmonton, concluded a nine-month investigation, cracking down on a group of “dangerous” fentanyl and cocaine dealers.
Since launching its investigation back in October 2014 following a number of fentanyl-related overdoses in the region, Staff Sgt. of Bonnyville RCMP Luis Gandolfi said local officers “have been absolutely committed” to bringing down a drug ring believed to have heavy ties to a serious operation in Surrey, B.C.
Speaking after details of the bust were released to the public on Friday, Gandolfi said he “couldn't be happier” with the results of the investigation.
“It's absolutely vital to get this stuff off of our streets, for the very simple fact that (we've had so many) deaths in the area relating (to this type of drug use),” Gandolfi said. “Clearly (fentanyl) is a dangerous drug and those that peddle it have brought unnecessary harm to our communities.”
Carrying out three separate search warrants on June 5, police seized 391 fentanyl pills, 336 grams of methamphetamine, 441 grams of cocaine and 1.33 kilograms of a buffing agent. On top of that officers also confiscated $3,896 in cash, six rifles, a Norinco 5.56 assault rifle, a prohibited handgun and three body armour vests.
53-year old Roberta Wright and her two sons, 28-year-old Douglas Wright and 33-year-old Bradley Wright face a combined 42 drugs and weapons related charges.
After having the opportunity to travel to Edmonton and see first-hand the evidence of a large drug operation taking place in Bonnyville, local Mayor Gene Sobolewski continued to drive home the community's hard line on illegal activity.
“This investigation and its subsequent conclusion really stays with the message we as a council, along with our local RCMP, have been trying to promote for a long time in that if drug dealing happens to be your choice of career, then you're not welcome in Bonnyville,” Sobolewski said.
“I've had the chance to see exactly what these people had: bullet proof vests, heavy weaponry, and the drugs they had… It was crazy,” Sobolewsi added.
“We all owe our local RCMP, and the ALERT team out of Edmonton, our gratitude for their continuing service. We at council are very appreciative not only of the work of our RCMP members, but of the awareness that has not been raised as a result of this investigation… This sends out the important message that we will not tolerate this kind of activity.”
Moving forward, Gandolfi said local RCMP would be doing all that they can to ensure this type of activity stays away from Bonnyville.
“From here, we're just going to carry on with our business, which is to find the people responsible for this sort of activity, dealing in our community, and take them out,” Gandolfi said. “We have some guys in the office that are very keen on this type of offence and I'm confident, like we've seen in this case, we'll be able to persevere.”
After overseeing a lengthy, near year-long investigation come to a successful conclusion, Gandolfi reserved special praise for his local “hard-working” team.
“Although we did partner up with ALERT, I couldn't be happier with the effort of our local officers. Everything they put forward – the extra time, extra resources, extra hours they had to spend away from their families… I'm very happy with the result and very honoured that these guys work for us here in Bonnyville.
