Red Deer man sentenced to three years in $77,000 drug trafficking case
A Red Deer Court of King's Bench judge handed down the sentence after a lengthy investigation that began in 2022.
Omar Abuelhawa, 61, of Red Deer has been sentenced to three years in jail and given a firearm prohibition after being convicted on three counts of trafficking a controlled substance. The sentence was handed down in Red Deer Court of King's Bench on Sept. 17, 2026. Eight other charges against him were withdrawn.
Three co-accused in the case saw their matters resolved differently. Sone Narong, 53, of Red Deer had a stay of proceedings entered on Nov. 3, 2025. Phouthavong Khamkhay, 59, also of Red Deer, had his charges withdrawn on Nov. 4, 2024, the same day Pakorn Narong, 54, of Red Deer had a stay of proceedings entered in his matters.
The case stemmed from a nine-month investigation by the Red Deer General Investigation Section that concluded on June 26, 2023. With help from Police Dog Services and Red Deer RCMP, investigators executed search warrants in the Glendale, Rosedale and Oriole Park neighbourhoods, as well as at a local restaurant.
The searches led to the seizure of 538 grams of suspected cocaine, 396 grams of suspected methamphetamine, $6,100 in cash and drug trafficking paraphernalia. Police estimated the street value of the seized drugs at more than $77,000. RCMP are asking anyone with information about suspected drug trafficking or gang activity to contact Red Deer RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.