Alberta Man Charged With Fentanyl Trafficking, Firearm Possession Following Drug Bust

More than $150,000 worth of fentanyl and five firearms were seized in Calgary in a drug investigation. Calgary Police Service handout

Police in Alberta have charged a Cochrane resident with multiple counts of drug trafficking and gun possession following a drug bust in Calgary that led to the seizure of $150,000 worth of fentanyl and five firearms.

Calgary’s District 4 General Investigations Unit began the investigation in January, city officials said in a news release on April 28. After receiving information from York Regional Police about a Calgary-based drug trafficker, Calgary police observed the suspect’s drug trafficking activity over the following three months.

After a traffic stop was carried out by the Calgary Police Service on April 16, the driver was taken into custody and 22 grams of fentanyl, 18 grams of crack cocaine, and two cellphones were seized.

Police also searched two apartments in Calgary and discovered significant amounts of drugs and weapons as well as a taser.

A search of an apartment in Cochrane led to the seizure of 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 11 grams of unknown pills, and 161 grams of an unknown white powder.

Several firearms were also seized, including a loaded handgun that had a 3D-printed receiver and a glock slide, which was reported as lost in Ontario, as well as three rifles, a shotgun, around 1,170 rounds of ammunition, and two prohibited firearm magazines.

The investigation led to the arrest of Jacob Seal, 29, of Cochrane. Seal was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, two counts of possession of a prohibited device, one count of possession of a loaded prohibited firearm with ammunition, and one count of unauthorized possession of a firearm.

“The seizure of these drugs and firearms undoubtedly prevented significant harm to our community,” said acting staff Sergeant Jake Debolt of the Calgary Police Service District 4 General Investigations Unit. “We remain committed to collaborating with all of our law enforcement partners to protect Calgarians from the devastating impacts of drug trafficking and the associated violence.”

Police have conducted several drug trafficking investigations in Alberta over the last few months. A news release from March 20 said the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) seized approximately 108 kilograms of cocaine at the Coutts port of entry in southern Alberta on March 8.

A commercial transport vehicle underwent a secondary examination that resulted in the arrest of Calgary resident, Arshdeep Singh, 26. Singh was charged with importation of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

“Stopping dangerous drugs from coming into Canada is part of the CBSA’s commitment to keeping our communities and our streets safe,” Ben Tame of CBSA said. “This significant seizure demonstrates the important work being done by our border services officers as we continue to secure and protect our border alongside our law enforcement partners, the RCMP and the Calgary Police Service.”

A February news release detailed other significant drug seizures at the Coutts port of entry. On Dec. 24, 2024, CBSA officers inspected a commercial truck coming into Calgary and seized 186 kilograms of methamphetamine, which has an estimated street value of over $1.8 million.

On Jan. 18, CBSA officers seized 42 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of over $1 million, in another commercial truck destined for Calgary. Both drivers were arrested and transferred to Alberta RCMP custody.

The Calgary Police Service is asking anyone with information on suspected drug trafficking to call the non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers.