A month-long project undertaken by Lethbridge police resulted in the arrest of 26 people, the laying of 63 criminal charges and the seizure of drugs worth more than $95,5000.
The project was a city-wide initiative targeting street-level drug dealers with the aim of disrupting community drug distribution and resulting crime and disorder.
The operation, launched in mid-October and completed earlier this week, involved a series of short-term investigations and collaborations with Alberta sheriffs and a number of Lethbridge police units, including the Crime Suppression Team, Property Crimes Unit and Field Operations Division. .
Police executed nine separate search warrants, eight arrest warrants, seized six vehicles and more than $22,000 in cash proceeds of crime.
They also seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, narcotics, MDMA, psilocybin, six firearms and more than a dozen weapons, including knives, Tasers and a crossbow.
Police also run a downtown enforcement project that targets the most frequent offenders who operate in high-crime areas.
“The results of this collaborative project are significant and represent the ongoing commitment of LPS and our law enforcement partners to continue targeting offenders who prey on our vulnerable population and wreak havoc on our community “, said Insp. Jason Dobirstein, who oversees the criminal investigations division, in a press release
“While arrests and seizures have most certainly disrupted the sale, circulation and use of drugs in our community, we know our efforts will be short-lived,” he added. “We are determined to continue deploying resources to target the city’s most vulnerable. prolific drug offenders.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lethbridge police at 403-328-4444. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online or by downloading the P3 Tips app.
