Lethbridge… A 3D-printed Glock-style handgun was seized during the arrest of a suspected Lethbridge drug dealer. Cocaine and opioid pills were also seized.
ALERT Lethbridge’s organized crime team made the arrest on January 9, 2025. The suspect was arrested entering his vehicle and the loaded handgun was found tucked into his waistband.
Lethbridge Police Service also helped search a home in the west Lethbridge area.
“Ghost guns are favoured by organized crime because of their ability to bypass lawful acquisition and can go undetected. These pose a serious risk to our communities, especially in the hands of a drug dealer,” said Staff Sgt. Trevor Sheppard, ALERT Lethbridge.
In total, ALERT seized:
The firearm will be submitted to ALERT’s Provincial Firearms Lab for further analysis and ballistics testing.
In 2024, the Firearms Lab received and analyzed 29 3D-printed firearms. The lab handles the majority of firearms examinations in the province and was created in partnership between the Alberta Government, ALERT, and the Edmonton Police Service.
Austin Young, 18 years old, was charged with the following offences:
Young remains in custody and his next appearance for a bail hearing has been scheduled for January 16, 2025.
Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.
ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.
The work we do is about our communities, and that’s why we recognize that residents can be instrumental in tackling serious crime. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a crime, or you suspect criminal activity, please reach out. Your information will remain strictly confidential.
Thank you for helping to make Alberta safer by being actively involved and reporting suspicious activity.
