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Edmonton police have arrested eight suspects who face charges in connection with the seizure of more than $1.1 million in drugs, cash, cars and contraband cigarettes.
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In fall 2021, the police drug and gang enforcement section began investigating two Edmonton men suspected of drug trafficking, police said in a Friday news release. Six additional suspects — three men and three women — surfaced over the course of the investigation.
On March 10, police executed search warrants at multiple locations throughout the city including two warehouses, four residences, four vehicles and a garage.
As a result, police seized 19,285 cartons (or 192,850 packs) of contraband cigarettes with an approximate street value of $965,000 (and $1,000,000 in tax avoidance).
Police also seized 700 g of methamphetamine, 620 g of cocaine, 2.8 kg of cannabis and 85 g of psilocybin with a combined street value of approximately $60,500.
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Furthermore, police seized $40,000 in cash and two vehicles: a 2021 Mercedes GLB AMG 35 valued at approximately $60,000, and a 2020 Volkswagen Passat valued at approximately $35,000.
Police have charged Alexander Chen Siew, 32, and Ryan Lu, 30, each with possession of property obtained by crime greater than $5,000, illegally possessing tobacco for the purpose of sale, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking .
Police have also charged 32-year-old Brandy Luong-Woo with possession of property obtained by crime less than $5,000 and four counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, as well as Brennan David Kluczny, 36, with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime for less than $5,000.
Khalil George Dib, 35, Alda Yau Kwan, 37, Hui Wei, 45, and William Tong Qi, 22, each face a single charge of illegally possessing tobacco for the purpose of sale.