Six facing charges in Lloydminster drug investigation

Lloydminster… Six men are facing various drug related charges following an ALERT investigation into drug trafficking believed to have been taking place inside a local pub.

On October 11, 2023, ALERT Lloydminster’s organized crime team executed a number of search warrants with the help of Lloydminster RCMP. ALERT searched four homes and two commercial properties, including Neighbor’s Pub, as well as six vehicles. As a result, the following items have been seized as evidence:

  • 1,100 grams of suspected cocaine;
  • 123 grams of methamphetamine;
  • 7,500 grams of suspected phenacetin;
  • 25 grams of psilocybin;
  • $9,080 cash.

 

The estimated street value of the drugs is $125,000.

The six vehicles included in the search warrant were also seized.

“It’s incredibly concerning to us when we see drug trafficking activity happening inside a local business. This has a direct impact on the community and places innocent people directly into harms way. Our investigation led us to several suspects, and being able to seize more than eight kilograms of drugs, preventing them from reaching further inside our community,” said Sgt. Bruce Maclean, ALERT Lloydminster.

ALERT opened the investigation in September 2022 after hearing community concerns related to drug activity taking place at the pub.

The following people are facing a total of 16 charges, including possession for the purpose of trafficking, and have been released as they await their next scheduled court date on December 12, 2023:

  • Adam Cole, 39;
  • Jacob Mendoza-Ayala, 27;
  • Christopher Daubert, 39;
  • Andrew Unger, 37;
  • Nathan Marsland, 34; and
  • Jamie Lafave, 44.

 

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.