Over $1M in cash and drugs seized in Lethbridge bust
Posted Jan 25, 2023 1:56 pm.
Last Updated Jan 25, 2023 1:58 pm.
Alberta police seized over $1 million in cash and drugs in Lethbridge late last year and are calling it one of the largest busts ever recorded.
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) says that an investigation into a suspect began in October 2022 after it received information about “suspected drug trafficking activity.”
After receiving warrants, police made a bust on Dec. 20, when ALERT and Lethbridge police searched two homes.
One of the homes was in the London Road area, and the other was in a garage in the Winston Churchill neighbourhood. Police say two vehicles were also searched and seized.
Officers say they seized 5.2 kilograms of meth, 3.2 kilograms of cocaine, 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 418 grams of ketamine, and 35 kilograms of psilocybin mushrooms.
They also found $79,000 worth of cash.
Police say they also found four firearms, including a prohibited sawed-off shotgun and a loaded handgun that was previously reported stolen from Redcliff.
Read More: Alberta parents charged with sexual assault of 6-week-old baby: Lethbridge Police
Officers arrested 34-year-old Patrick Rodney, who is now facing 10 charges, including ones related to possession of drugs related to trafficking, “possession of property obtained by crime,” unlawful storage of a firearm, knowingly possessing both unauthorized and prohibited weapons and ammunition, multiple counts of possession of firearms obtained by crime and contrary to prohibition, and a breach of probation.
ALERT says the suspect was investigated and previously faced charges in August 2014.
Rodney is set to appear in court on Jan. 26. The charges have not been proven in court.
The enforcement service says that the city’s previous drug seizure happened in February 2017, which was a seizure of $1.2 million worth of drugs. That one consisted of ecstasy, cannabis, and psilocybin mushrooms.
Anyone that suspects drug or gang activity in their community is asked to call local police or leave a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
