Edmonton, Alberta, April 21, 2010 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) executed a search warrant at an Edmonton residence on Friday, April 16 which led to the arrest of Norman Jones.
The search warrant was executed following the April 7 seizure of 342 vials of alleged steroids and 10,000 tablets of alleged steroids by CBSA officers at the Vancouver International Mail Centre. The drugs were found following an inspection of a package from Thailand destined to Jones’ Edmonton address.
ALERT officers seized six rifles, 194 grams of marijuana and 24 ecstasy tablets, and charged Jones, 55, with two offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act: importation of a controlled substance and possession of ecstasy. The investigation is ongoing.
"Thanks to the outstanding cooperation between law enforcement agencies, these items have been prevented from reaching our streets,” said the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety. "I commend this excellent example of the CBSA and ALERT working together to make our communities safe. The smuggling of illegal drugs and guns across our border fuels organized crime in Canada. This Government is committed to giving law enforcement the tools they need to stop illegal drugs and guns from crossing our border.”
ALERT is an umbrella organization established by the Government of Alberta to bring together the province's most sophisticated law enforcement resources to tackle serious and organized crime. Close to 400 municipal police, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and sheriffs work for ALERT.
The CBSA continues to work closely with law enforcement partners, like ALERT, both here and abroad to ensure the safety and security of Canadians.
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For media information
Lisa White
Canada Border Services Agency
403-292-4011
Katherine O'Neill
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams
780-453-0951