Baby Rescued by ALERT in Lethbridge Drug Investigation

Lethbridge… A 24-year-old Lethbridge mother was arrested by Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) after her newborn baby was being brought along on suspected drug dealing.

 

The baby boy, who is less than a month old, was removed from a vehicle along with nearly $9,000 worth of crack and powder cocaine. The boy’s mother, a 24-year-old Lethbridge woman, and a 17-year-old young offender were also arrested.

 

ALERT’s Lethbridge team, which includes members of Lethbridge Regional Police Service and RCMP, made the arrest on the evening of September 16th. Investigators witnessed the accused engaged in behaviour consistent with drug trafficking and made the decision to prematurely conclude the investigation in order to protect the welfare of the child.

 

Southern Alberta Child and Family Services were notified and are assisting with the investigation. The baby was placed in the care of a family member.

 

The arrest took place at a vehicle stop in Claresholm, Alta. The cocaine was individually packaged, totaling 85 grams. Other drug paraphernalia, including digital scales and packaging materials was also seized.

 

The 24-year-old Lethbridge woman, who is not being named in order to protect the identity of the baby, was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a controlled substance.

 

The 17-year-old youth was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of proceeds of crime.

 

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. Nearly 400 municipal police, RCMP, and sheriffs work in ALERT.