Two Edmonton men face more than 40 drug and firearm-related charges after police seized multiple weapons and $400,000 in fentanyl from a city home, where evidence of drug production was also uncovered.
Officers seized more than 2,700 grams of fentanyl worth an estimated $400,000 while executing a Nov. 2, 2024, search warrant in a city apartment building, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) said in a Feb. 5 release. Police also seized more than 120 grams of methamphetamine valued at $7,000, and more than 80 grams of cocaine with a street value of approximately $6,000. “The EPS’ Special Project Team arrested two individuals without incident and took weapons, ammunition and over $400,000 of illicit drugs off the streets of Edmonton,” said Sgt. Ian Vicker. “Our team collaborated with EPS’ Tactical Section to ensure a swift and successful completion of this investigation.”
On the day of the arrest, a suspect was found carrying more than 55 grams of fentanyl with a street value exceeding $8,500, more than 20 grams of methamphetamine valued at more than $1,000, and more than $5,000 in cash, according to police.
During the search warrant at the apartment building, police found a number of weapons, including a shotgun, two rifles, multiple swords, and ammunition rounds, officials said. Officers also found evidence of drug production, two stolen license plates, more than $1,000 in cash, and a Canadian passport.
Jameson Doherty, 54, and Timothy York, 42, are facing charges in connection with the investigation, which began last August. Police laid the charges earlier this month, including possession for the purpose of trafficking, drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm, EPS said.
The news comes after U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to a 30-day pause on tariffs, which he has threatened to impose on Canada and Mexico, unless both nations stem the flow of illegal drugs and immigrants into the United States across their borders. During the reprieve, Ottawa and several provinces, including Alberta, have taken steps to address Trump’s security concerns, with plans to crack down on fentanyl and other illicit drugs.
Premier Danielle Smith, who has
stepped up her province’s efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking, said the fentanyl seized by Edmonton police “could’ve been responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of people.”
“Our government will be taking greater steps to significantly increase police and prosecutorial resources so that we can continue shutting down Fentanyl labs and putting the kingpins and dealers behind bars where they belong,” Smith said in a Feb. 5 social media
post.
Alberta Public Safety Minister and Deputy Premier Mike Ellis also welcomed the news, saying in a Feb. 5 social media
post that the work of Edmonton police in combating fentanyl trafficking “not only helps protect our community but also sets an important example in the fight against illegal drugs.”
