Four people are facing drug trafficking charges and RCMP has issued a warrant for a fifth following a multi-month investigation. According to police, last fall the Municipal Drug Section, with help from Edmonton ALERT, started investigating drug trafficking in the city.
Throughout the investigation, police executed three search warrants in different parts of the community. They seized 87 cartons of illegal cigarettes and a substantial amount of drugs believed to be cocaine, fentanyl, and meth.
Grande Prairie RCMP Municipal Drug Unit Sergeant Eldon Chillon says it is believed the suspects were using short-term rentals in the city. He encourages all owners and cleaners of those types of properties to contact police if they come across unknown substances, including powders or pills left behind by tenants.
“The Municipal Drug Unit makes enforcement of those supplying fentanyl to the city of Grande Prairie a priority.”
25-year-old Hananluiza Alshawabkeh and 30-year-old Kaitlin Mulek of Edmonton are both facing charges for possession and trafficking of a controlled substance and possession of stolen property over $5,000. 25-year-old Faisal Huoseh of Edmonton and 26-year-old John Medina of Calgary are also facing charges of trafficking or possession with the intention to traffic a controlled substance.
All four have been released from custody and are scheduled to appear in Grande Prairie Provincial Court between July 24th and August 2nd. A fifth suspect, 53-year-old Elwood Fraser of Grande Prairie, is wanted on warrants for possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
RCMP advises anyone who suspects drug activity in their community to contact RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
