Six drug investigations end with massive cash seizure, 12 people arrested

CTV Edmonton: Drug bust yields massive seizure Police are calling it the largest amount of cash they've ever seized during a drug investigation.

Edmonton police are crediting six separate drug-related investigations with helping to put a dozen individuals in handcuffs in recent weeks, in addition to the largest cash seizure on record.

EPS said of a total six busts carried out by members of the Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement Unit (EDGE), the largest was completed Friday, March 21 – when more than $800,000 in cash was seized, along with 1.5 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated value of $85,000.

“That is the greatest drug, cash-related seizure in EPS history,” Staff Sgt. Bruce Edwards said, going on to say he thought officers were a little surprised at what they found inside.

In that particular investigation, search warrants were executed at four locations in the city, with most of the cash found in a home located near 167 Avenue and 111 Street.

As part of that investigation, four people were arrested and charged: Kevin Correia, 35, Michael Mannara, 28, and Jocelyn Zunti, 22, are facing a number of drug related charges including conspiracy to traffic cocaine and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

In addition, Cody Klemola, 25, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The five other investigations were completed between March 11 and March 20, and a total of eight people are facing charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking in connection to those investigations: Eugene Emmanuel Kim, 30, John Ibberson, 29, Arthur Ibberson, 31, Mark Crossley, 33, Holly Dyck, 35, Nicole Ammann, 31, Shane Labine, 36, and Kenneth Houle, 28.

Police also said two of the accused, Ammann and Houle, were also facing firearm related charges, charges were also pending against another individual.

In all, 11 search warrants were executed as part of the investigations – items seized included seven guns, one Taser, about $900,000 in cash, and drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, heroine and GHB – with a total estimated street value of $390,919.

With files from David Ewasuk