A recent Fort MacMurray drug bust has led to criminal charges against two local men, and the individuals charged are accused of being the leaders in a Northern Alberta drug operation that was widespread and highly complex. Jason Mulley, 31 years old, and Patrick Felix, 34 years old, were both arrested last Wednesday after an early morning drug raid uncovered large quantities of cocaine and the narcotic pain medication fentanyl. ALERT spokesperson Mike Tucker said the raid will have a big impact on the local community. “When you look at fentanyl alone, and the number of overdose deaths it’s been tied too, it’s a very violent drug. And clearly, with cocaine, a very valuable commodity, highly addictive, it can destroy lives and families. Closely, drugs are tied to violence, and the criminal underworld.”

The Fort MacMurray drug bust is believed to have shut down a trafficking operation that spanned across Northern Alberta, hitting Edmonton and Fort MacMurray. Both of the men arrested are facing many criminal charges that include drug trafficking and conspiracy to traffic in narcotics. As part of the drug raid 5 homes in Fort MacMurray were searched, and police also searched a hotel room and a supplement store as well. A total of 7 arrests were made during the raid. Tucker discussed the local rise in fentanyl use, saying “Its use has grown incredibly over the past year. It’s very potent, very addictive, and just causes whole sorts of harms.” Two firearms and a number of vehicles were also seized by the police. The investigation started two years ago. Also charged as a result of the raid were Fort MacMurray residents Spencer Brown, Mandy Gauvreau, Rachel Jurich, and Alexander Jurich. Levi Lund of Edmonton was also charged, and arrest warrants are pending for Gary Partridge from Fairview and 22 year old Paul Ohelo from Fort MacMurray.