Well-known Edmonton landlord arrested again on drug charges

A well-known Edmonton landlord who has fought pitched battles with city officials and his own tenants has been charged with drug trafficking for the second time in less than five months.

Abdullah Shah, 53, who is also known by the name Carmen Pervez, was arrested on Wednesday when police executed a search warrant on a business near 93rd Street and 111th Avenue.

Shah, who once served time in prison for mortgage fraud, faces almost a dozen new charges for possession forthe purpose of trafficking, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and breach of bail conditions.

He was arrested on similar charges at the same address on Christmas Eve last year.Insp. Ed McIsaac said police weren't specifically targeting Shah when they made the arrest.

"We had a number of concerns in the area, and the investigation led us to an address," McIsaac said.

He said the area is very busy, and neighbours often come forward to police with tips and complaints.

A video of the raid on posted onYouTubeshows six police officers knocking down the door of the business and forcing their way inside.

McIsaac said there were no issues and no violence involved.

"I actually spoke to Mr. [Shah] yesterday. He was very polite, very respectful," he said.

Two womenwere also charged in the bust, including Sarah Fassman, 36, who previously described herself as Shah's property manager.

Fassmandefended Shah in an interview with CBC in August 2015. At the time, she said his criminal reputation was blown out of proportion. She suggested neighbours hoping to block his proposal todevelopa basement suite in Parkdalemight be discriminating against him.

Fassman and the other woman facefour charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of stolen property over $5,000.

Police said investigators seized a variety of drugs and paraphernalia, including:

• 862 grams of methamphetamine (approximate street value of $86,780);
• 186 Diluadid pills, an opioidpainkiller (approximate street value of $5,580);
• 74 oxycodone pills (approximate street value of $2,220);
• 52 Ritalinpills(approximate street value of $1,560), and;
• $8,615 in Canadian currency

The drug trafficking paraphernalia includedscales, packaging and mobile phones, police said.

Shah is also still facing charges fromhis arrest onDec. 24, 2015, including 13 charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, one charge of possession of stolen property over $5,000 (proceeds of crime), one charge of possession of an offensive weapon dangerous to the public and one charge of careless use of a firearm. He was released on $10,000 cash bail.

The landlord told CBC News last summer he owns about 100 rental properties in the Edmonton area.

McIsaac said police have no plans to search Shah's otherproperties, and they are not looking for any more subjects.

Shah has a criminal history that dates back to 1983, according to parole documents.

He was charged in 2005 in a $30-million fraud scheme that netted his companies more than $1.8 million. He pleaded guilty to 54 charges of fraud and 19 charges of possession of property obtained by crime.