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A man once described as a cocaine kingpin by police and Crown prosecutors is among two people charged with drug trafficking after dozens of Mounties and tactical officers searched three homes in Fort McMurray on Aug. 14.

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The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) says Jeffrey Mark Caines, 51, was arrested at an Eagle Ridge condominium along with an associate and more than $100,000 in cocaine. Police also seized $18,970 in cash and a firearm after searching a home downtown and on Timberline Drive.

“This individual is arguably one of the most well-known organized crime figures in the region,” said Staff Sergeant Mark Wait of ALERT Fort McMurray in a Monday morning statement.

“His alleged proclivity for drugs continues to put the community in harm’s way and I’m glad our team was able to take a significant amount of harmful substances off the streets.”

Caines was arrested with Crystal MacLellan, 39. They are both charged charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime. Caines remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Fort McMurray court on Aug. 20.

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Police have identified other suspects allegedly involved in the drug trafficking operation. ALERT is continuing an investigation into their activities, and more arrests and charges are being considered.

Caines ran massive cocaine operation in Fort McMurray

Caines was arrested in December 2006 and, according to an agreed statement of facts, led a large and sophisticated drug-dealing operation in Fort McMurray. The Crown argued Caines earned nearly $500,000 in profits from his operation.

Two members of the Hells Angels were also convicted of conspiring to traffic cocaine and doing so for a criminal organization. The court was told Caines paid the bikers $20,000 per week to protect his operation and handle problems with competitors. Caines is not a member of the outlaw motorcycle club.

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Caines pled guilty in October 2011 and was sentenced to 14 years in jail. He was given credit for serving more than 96 months in pre-trial custody and served an additional 71 months and 11 days behind bars.

While Caines was at the Edmonton Remand Centre in 2010, a guard testified in 2014 that Caines allegedly threatened to harm his mother if he did not smuggle drugs into the jail. Caines was again convicted of drug trafficking charges in 2020 and sentenced to 30 months.

Anyone with information about any missing people or criminal activity is asked to contact Wood Buffalo RCMP at 780-788-4040 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). Tips to Crime Stoppers are always anonymous and can be sent to p3tips.com.

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