‘The idea of pure cocaine is a myth,’ warn police after Airdrie drug bust

CALGARY – Police hope a recent drug bust will serve as an eye-opener for recreational drug users who don’t understand how dangerous even moderate drug use can be.

More than $100,000 worth of cocaine was discovered at an Airdrie home on December 4th, after a two month-long investigation by police.

They also seized more than 15 kilograms of Phenacetin or “Superbuff” – a dangerous painkiller withdrawn from the Canadian market in 1973 after it was associated with cancer and kidney damage.

Police warn the drug is often used as a cutting agent by dealers who want to dilute the purity of cocaine in order to maximize profits.

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Police say the seizure further highlights the dangers of using any street drugs at any time, because of unknown chemical substances which may be added to them.

“For the recreational drug user this should be a wake-up call as the idea of pure cocaine is a myth,” says Sgt. Glenn Uchytil, CPS. “You may have just wanted to get high, but as we saw last year with some tainted ecstasy, you may wind up dead.”

Police arrested 30-year-old Jordan Schwebius and 52-year-old Sidney Nayel in connection to the seizure, and have also issued a province-wide warrant for 29-year-old Ryan Venn, wanted on an Alberta-wide warrant for three charges of breaching recognizance.

Police allege the accused were distributing cocaine to dial-a-dope drug traffickers.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Venn is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).