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Drug bust has ties to cartel

A large drug bust in Alberta has broken up a family that is allegedly connected to cartels and gangs in both Mexico and El Salvador.

Four members of the La Familia gang, including club president Jose Antonia Monterrey, were arrested earlier this month, according to a release from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team.

They say the group is connected to the Mara Salvatrucha gang from El Salvador, which also has ties to Mexican drug cartels, and was attempting to gain control of the drug distribution channels in Alberta.

It’s alleged the group was supplying drug lines in Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Drayton Valley, Lloydminster, and Red Deer.

The Alberta chapter of La Familia wore a three-piece patch similar to outlaw motorcycle groups and had an established rank structure and club rules.

Along with the 33-year-old Monterrey, who was arrested while attempting to board a flight at the Edmonton airport, ALERT also arrested Peter Alan Griffon, 34, Cody Sterling Tremblett, 28, and Penny Sue Fleming, 34.

They face 40 combined drug and weapons related charges.

The arrests coincided with drug busts at three Edmonton area homes where an estimated $600,000 worth of drugs were seized, including:

  • 5 kilograms of cocaine
  • 2.7 kilograms of MDMA
  • 2 kilograms of a buffing agent
  • Oxycodone pills
  • Cocaine press
  • $45,000 in cash proceeds of crime

A variety of firearms and weapons were also seized:

  • Two .22 caliber rifles, one equipped with a silencer
  • .44 caliber Desert Eagle handgun
  • Sawed-off shotgun
  • Thousands of rounds of ammunition
  • Body armour vests.


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