Police bust Calgary fentanyl ring believed to be supplying Airdrie, Rocky View County

A man and a woman in Calgary have been charged with a variety of drug trafficking offences following a police investigation into who was supplying fentanyl to people in nearby Airdrieand Rocky View County.

Police arrested Ivo Musa, 31, and 23-year-old Heidi Helene Moran, both of Calgary, on March 10 after seizinga "significant amount" of drugs and cash from a home in the southeast community of Forest Lawn, said Airdrie RCMPspokesperson Const. Dan Martinin a statement Wednesday.

The detachment'scrime reduction unithad been conducting an investigation into who was supplying fentanyl and other drugs to people in Rocky View County and Airdrie, Martin said.

Fentanyl is a deadly, highly potent opioid that has caused overdose deaths to skyrocket in Alberta and other Canadian provinces.

'Targeted, intelligence-led investigations'

Police seizedtwo firearms one of which was an "assault-style" rifle as well as $15,000 in Canadian cash, $5,000 in suspected U.S. counterfeit cash, more than 1,600 suspected fentanyl pills, 100grams of suspected fentanylpowder, seven grams of suspected carfentanil power, 25 morphine pills and 270 grams of methamphetamine.

"The searches conducted are part of a larger crime reduction strategy that focuses on identifying repeat offenders and conducting targeted, intelligence-led investigations," Martin said in the statement.

• This Calgary mother whose son died of fentanyl overdose wants you to be able to spot the warning signs

Both Musa and Moran face 11 charges each for drug offences and possessingthe proceeds of a crime, as well as multiple weapons offences and court order breaches.

Moran was also arrested on eight outstanding arrest warrants from four Alberta jurisdictions, police said.

The two remain in custody as they wait for court dates.

The investigation was assisted byCalgary Police Service and the RCMP's federal serious and organized crime team.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Nenshi celebrates end of 'inhumane' secondary suite system after 8 years
• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Teen accused of attacking grandmother with sword found mentally fit to stand trial