Methamphetamine ‘making a huge comeback,’ ALERT says after $700K Edmonton drug bust

A 39-year-old man has been charged after more than $700,000 worth of drugs and cash were seized from a west Edmonton home.

The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team said the short-term investigation, which started in early February, resulted in police searching a home in the Glastonbury neighbourhood on Feb. 8.

ALERT spokesperson Mike Tucker said the investigation began after information came in about alleged drug activity that was taking place in Edmonton and impacting surrounding communities.

ALERT said the following items were seized:

• 2,150 grams of cocaine
• 1,900 grams of methamphetamine
• 94 grams of fentanyl
• 261 grams of ketamine
• 12,200 grams of cannabis
• 2,100 grams of psilocybin mushrooms
• 50 tabs of LSD
• 100 milliliters of GHB
• 14,000 grams of buffing agents
• $74,670 cash

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Hundreds of rounds of ammunition were also seized, which ALERT said the accused was prohibited from possessing due to a previous conviction.

Tucker said it was a big payout to get this amount of drugs off the street.

“What’s unique about this case too is it’s such a variety when you’re looking at all of these substances together and large amounts. This is going to have an impact on several different aspects of those drug markets and have an impact on community safety for the neighbourhood.”

Staff Sgt. Lance Parker added the significance is also in the type of drugs that were seized.

“The significance of that is a lot of these substances that we’ve seen on the streets of Edmonton, it boils all down to the social impact.

“Methamphetamine right now is making a huge comeback. We’re seeing more and more of it and not just during these large investigations, but we’re also seeing it at the street level.

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“That’s what’s causing a lot of our social issues is that people are self-medicating using these types of substances.”

ALERT said Garret Nybakken, 39, was arrested at his home. He is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, proceeds of crime, breach of a firearms prohibition and charges under the Cannabis Act.

Tucker said Nybakken is known to police.

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