Lethbridge pair charged with drug trafficking, including making fentanyl gummy bears

A man and woman from Lethbridge are facing several drug trafficking charges after city police seized thousands of doses of drugs, including gummy bear shaped fentanyl.

Lethbridge Police say around 7:30 p.m. on July 9, the Downtown Policing Unit arrested a man and a woman wanted on outstanding warrants on Mayor Magrath Drive South.

After he was arrested, officers discovered the man was in possession of at least three ounces of cocaine, smaller levels of drugs associated with downtown street-level trafficking, and more than $7,000 in cash.

Police add he was also riding a stolen electric bike.

Investigators then undertook a search at the pair’s home, where a significant amount of drugs and trafficking paraphernalia were found.

Among the items discovered were 51 light-green fentanyl gummy bears, as well as mixing bowls, gummy-bear molds, and detailed instructions for making the mixture, police say.

Officers also seized bulk amounts of various other drugs, baggies, digital scales, score sheets, and a cellphone that was getting calls from people looking to buy drugs.

Between the two locations, officers seized cocaine, ketamine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, as well as an additional $7,400 in cash proceeds of crime, totalling a combined value of over $84,000. 

Gregory Johnston, 61, is charged with production of controlled substance (fentanyl), four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000, possession of stolen property, and three counts of breach of release order.

He was remanded into custody and scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

Deborah Bolender, 51, is charged with production of controlled substance (fentanyl), four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

She was also remanded into custody and has a court date on Thursday.