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Charges laid in relation to Wednesday's drug investigation

The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) has arrested seven people thanks to seven search warrants executed in Fort McMurray yesterday including at a Chateau Nova hotel room and the Supplement King store on Signal Road.

Police believe they’ve busted a complex cocaine and fentanyl drug trafficking ring operated by 34-year-old Patrick Felix, and Jason Mulley, 31.

ALERT seized large amounts of cocaine and fentanyl along with two firearms and a large inventory of vehicles seized as potential proceeds of crime.

Mulley is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine and three counts of trafficking cocaine.

While Felix is charged with six counts of trafficking cocaine, seven counts of trafficking fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic cocaine and conspiracy to traffic fentanyl.

“This investigation dates back to April of 2013, it really has been a very complex process to get to the root of the suspected drug trafficking activities of Patrick Felix and Jason Mulley,” said ALERT Spokesperson Mike Tucker. “They were really at the heart of this investigation.”

Their alleged drug operation spanned Northern Alberta and included Fort McMurray and Edmonton.

In addition to Felix and Mulley, five other people were arrested on June 3 and are facing drug-related charges they are.

Mandy Gauvreau a 28-year-old is facing seven counts of trafficking cocaine and consipiracy to traffic cocaine.

Alexander Jurich aged 48 is charged with two counts of careless storage of a firearm, two counts of possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a prohibited device, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of psilocybin, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

Rachel Jurich 47-years-old is facing two counts of careless storage of a firearm, two counts of possession of a firearm without a licence, possession prohibited device, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking psilocybin and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

Spencer Brown 22-years-old is facing three counts of trafficking cocaine, three counts of trafficking fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, and conspiracy to traffic fentanyl.

Levi Lund, a 26-year-old from Edmonton has also been arrested and is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, trafficking cocaine, trafficking fentanyl, and two counts of breach of recognizance.

Police have also issued a warrant have also been issued for 66-year-old Gary Partridge of Fairview who’s charged with two counts of trafficking cocaine and conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

A warrant is also out for Paul Ohelo a 22-year-old from Fort McMurray who’s facing four counts of trafficking cocaine, four counts of trafficking fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, and conspiracy to traffic fentanyl.

“With seven search sites there’s a lot of evidence to process so they’ll be working probably through the weekend to get it all tallied up, there’s a lot of drugs, cash and property,” said Tucker.

Tucker notes the Supplement King store on Signal Road was allegedly used as a front for money laundering.

Store owner Tammy Powell posted this message on the Supplement King Facebook page today, “Yesterday was a difficult day, but today our doors have re-opened and I look forward to seeing you all. I would like to thank you for your kind words and gestures of support, I am proud to call the Fort McMurray community my home. Regarding Wednesday’s events let me reassure you that neither I, nor Supplement King, are in anyway involved with any illegal or inappropriate activity. And I expect to be fully exonerated by the RCMP. ”

ALERT plans on holding a news conference with the seized exhibits on Tuesday.