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Lethbridge… Over $80,000 in cash, bank drafts, and other property that was seized as part of Lethbridge’s largest drug seizure will help fund community crime prevention projects across Alberta.
The property was seized by ALERT as part of a record-breaking drug seizure that took place in Lethbridge on December 20, 2022. Over $1 million worth of drugs, including 5.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, 3.2 kilograms of cocaine, and 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl powder was seized, and one person was charged.
The Alberta Government’s Civil Forfeiture Office brought a court application to forfeit the cash, bank drafts and a Subaru vehicle registered to Patrick Rodney as proceeds or instruments of drug trafficking. Forfeiture was granted by order of the Court of King’s Bench on January 17, 2024.
Read the original news release.
Civil forfeiture proceedings are separate from criminal proceedings, and Rodney’s criminal charges are still before the courts. He was charged with 20 offences relating to drugs and firearms, and is scheduled for arraignment in Lethbridge on February 26, 2024.
“Civil forfeiture helps take the profit out of crime. Organized crime inflicts so much harm on communities and this provides a chance for drug money to be made good through support for community crime prevention initiatives,” said Acting Sergeant Peter Clarke, ALERT’s civil forfeiture liaison.
Over the last 3 years, civil forfeiture referrals originating from ALERT have resulted in over $2.4 million in forfeitures, helping to fund community crime prevention programs across the province through the Alberta Crime Prevention Grants.
During that period community groups received funding for projects focused on youth diversion from criminality, restorative justice, sexual and domestic violence intervention and prevention, a human trafficking exit program, and other crime prevention initiatives.
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.
