Calgary–Canmore drug case ends in sentence: man gets nearly six more years for fentanyl trafficking

An Alberta court in Cochrane has sentenced 30-year-old Canmore man Mackenzie Harbar to 2,121 days left to serve, about five years and 10 months, along with a lifetime firearms ban and a DNA order. Harbar had pleaded guilty to three charges, including two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of failing to comply with conditions. Court information shows he originally faced four possession-for-trafficking counts and 10 counts of failing to comply with conditions.

Wholesale drugs from Calgary, sold in the Bow Valley

The case stems from an investigation by the Cochrane RCMP Crime Reduction Unit that began in March. Police said the suspect was believed to be obtaining wholesale quantities of drugs in Calgary and trafficking them in the Bow Valley. On March 13, investigators stopped a vehicle on the Trans-Canada Highway and seized 1,097 grams of fentanyl.

Two rounds of searches, about $490,000 in drugs seized

On May 14, police searched a residence on Kananaskis Way in Canmore and seized 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine, along with 2,000 counterfeit Xanax tablets. Police said such counterfeit pills are often made with synthetic opioids stronger than fentanyl. On May 27, officers searched two residences in Calgary and seized additional fentanyl, cocaine and synthetic opioid tablets, as well as a prohibited firearm. Police estimated the total value of drugs seized in the investigation at about $490,000.

Others charged in the case

Charges against co-accused Katie Ervin, 31, also of Canmore, who had faced four possession-for-trafficking counts, were withdrawn. Two Calgary men, Aaron Cahoon and Jordan Nyiro, were also charged in connection with the investigation. Police say the circulation of counterfeit pills and fentanyl remains a focus for local enforcement, and anyone with information can contact police or Crime Stoppers.