Lethbridge Couple Caused Children to be Drug-Endangered

Lethbridge… A Lethbridge couple is facing charges under the province’s drug-endangered children’s act following an ALERT investigation that uncovered evidence of drug trafficking at the family’s home.

On April 12, ALERT Lethbridge and Lethbridge Police Service executed a search warrant at a home in West Lethbridge and seized cocaine, marijuana, and codeine pills. Six people were inside the home at the time of the search, including five youths with the youngest being an infant.

ALERT believes that drugs were being sold from the home and a 39-year-old woman and 39-year-old man were arrested. The couple, whose names are not being release in order to protect the identities of the children, are facing a number of charges relating to drug trafficking and a charge of causing a child to be drug-endangered.

Upon the execution of the search warrant, officers took every necessary precaution to minimize the impact on the children. Victim Services was on-hand to provide assistance and relocated the five youths to a family member’s residence. Child and Family Services was notified.

The search warrant comes on the heels of a related drug arrest that took place on April 2 and involved the 39-year-old accused. Vulcan RCMP assisted ALERT with a traffic stop that resulted in cocaine being seized from the vehicle. ALERT believes the accused was returning to the Lethbridge area after re-loading his drug supply.

The total value of drugs seized in both seizures is estimated at $38,500, and included:

• 352 grams of powder and crack cocaine;
• 155 codeine pills;
• 24 grams of marijuana;
• 8 grams of cannabis resin;
• $200 in counterfeit U.S. currency;
• Replica handgun.

The 39-year-old man has been remanded in custody, pending his next court appearance. The 39-year-old woman was released with several conditions imposed.