Safeer Nazir, former co-owner of Day and Night Pizza in Edmonton, Alberta, pleaded guilty to charges related to the use of his pizza shop to sell fentanyl and other illegal substances. The investigation by the Edmonton Police Service revealed that Safeer and his co-owner were exchanging stolen liquor and groceries for drugs, which were sometimes hidden in pizza boxes and sold to customers. The suspects were also accused of selling meth from their restaurant, leading to their arrest in 2021 after community members filed complaints to the police.
The agreed statement of facts in the case revealed that Day and Night Pizza had become well-known to police prior to the arrests. Undercover investigations in 2017 and 2019 resulted in officers being able to purchase cocaine from one of the proprietors. Further undercover operations in 2021 led to officers exchanging items such as cheese and alcohol for fentanyl. Subsequent search warrants executed in November 2021 uncovered a significant amount of prepackaged fentanyl hidden in various pizza boxes throughout the restaurant kitchen. Safeer and Raja Nazir were charged with multiple drug-related offenses and proceeds of crime.
Canada, like the United States, has been facing its own fentanyl crisis in recent years. The country has seen over 40,000 apparent opioid toxicity deaths from January 2016 to September 2023, with fentanyl making up 82 percent of all opioid-related deaths last year. Some cities in Canada have implemented overdose prevention sites where individuals can use drugs safely and under supervision. These sites have received praise from government and health organizations, although they are often met with opposition from local community members.
Safeer Nazir appeared in court and pleaded guilty to two charges related to the drug trafficking operation at his pizza shop. He confirmed his understanding of the implications of his guilty plea to the Court of King’s Bench Justice John Little. Despite pleading guilty, Safeer Nazir remains free on bail as he awaits sentencing next month. The Edmonton Police Service’s press office was contacted for additional information on the case, but there was no response at the time.
The use of a pizza shop as a front for drug trafficking highlights the extent of the fentanyl crisis in Canada and the lengths to which individuals may go to engage in illegal activities. The significant quantities of fentanyl, meth, and cocaine seized during the investigation underscore the magnitude of the operation run by Safeer and Raja Nazir. The case also sheds light on the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating the distribution and sale of dangerous substances like fentanyl in communities across the country.
The guilty plea by Safeer Nazir marks a significant development in the case, as it brings some closure to the investigation and legal proceedings. The impact of his actions on the local community and the broader implications of drug trafficking operations on public health and safety cannot be understated. As Canada continues to grapple with the fentanyl crisis, efforts to address the root causes of drug addiction and improve access to treatment and support services remain crucial in preventing further harm and loss of life.
