The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team—or ALERT—has arrested four men in connection to a big 2021 meth and fentanyl bust in Edmonton. In addition to the warrant issued against the fifth suspect, authorities slapped the group with 30 charges.
ALERT Arrests Four in Connection to Big Edmonton Drug Bust from November 2021 – Fifth Suspect Believed to Have Fled Canada
The November 2021 seizure occurred in Edmonton but saw authorities raid spots in Red Deer and Grande Prairie as well. The main event here was the drug seizure which included 8.5 kilos of meth, two liters of GHB or the date-rape drug, and roughly two kilos of fentanyl. There was also 17.2 kilos of an additional agent.
In total, ALERT seized narcotics with a street value of over $1 million. It should be noted that the group had the other illicit items you would expect to see seized in a drug raid. The search turned up three pistols, 645 rounds of ammo, and $16,255 in cash.
Of particular interest to investigators is that one of the guns appeared to have been made with a 3D printer and featured a suppressor. According to Inspector Kevin Berge of ALERT, the group was based out of Edmonton and had footholds in Red Deer and Grande Prairie.
The members of the group include Michael Suksawat (27) and Jason Suriyayong (30) of Surrey, Zachary Edwards-Swanson (22) of Grande Prairie, Keegan Johnson-Thomas (31) and David Nguyen (31) both of Edmonton.
Nguyen remains at large and it is believed that he likely fled the country. Meanwhile, Suriyayong appears to be the leader of the group as he was hit with charges related to recruiting for a criminal organization. All it takes for organized crimes to be push is for three or more individuals to be involved in a criminal activity for benefit.
The charge carries up to 14 years in prison. It’s recommended with anyone with information related to the investigation call Crime Stoppers to leave an anonymous tip.
