By Medicine Hat News on May 10, 2017.
Five people in Lethbridge are facing charges under the Drug Endangered Children’s Act following the seizure of close to $100,000 in drugs and cash were seized from homes on the city’s west side. Search warrants were executed on vehicles and two homes on May 5 by ALERT’s organized crime and drug unit.When the search warrant were executed police found young children living in both homes. Children and Family Services were contacted and are providing assistance. “Anytime we find children, especially of a young age, in residences where there’s drug trafficking or consumption, it’s a grave concern,” says Staff Sgt. Jason Walper of ALERT Lethbridge. “It’s our responsibility to make sure our communities are safe and children are taken care of.” A 33-year-old man and 26-year-old woman have been charged with possession for the purposes of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime. A 28-year-old man faces those same charges as well as a charge of possession of a controlled substance. Those three individuals along with a 19-year-old woman and 42-year-old man are all charged under the Drug Endangered Children’s Act. The names of those charged are not being released to protect the identities of the children. More than 100 grams of cocaine, 993 grams of a cocaine cutting agent, $77,000 cash proceeds of crime, and two vehicles and a bicycle were seized. 7