Targeted enforcement operation takes drugs off city streets
By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on May 31, 2024.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com The Lethbridge Police Service recently removed a significant amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl from the streets of downtown, including large chunks of orange fentanyl.Police say more than 450 doses of methamphetamine and fentanyl have been taken off the street as part of a targeted enforcement operation involving a combination of uniform and covert officers actively targeting offenders engaged in criminal activity and other negative behaviours in the city centre.
Sgt. Ryan Darroch, in charge of the Downtown Policing Unit (DPU) told the Herald during a phone interview this week that it is very important for LPS to continue tackling the issues surrounding the downtown core, especially those involving the dealing of drugs.
“We recently had several deaths involving orange fentanyl, so it was a good file to have someone arrested who was trafficking, that’s for sure,” said Darroch.
Last Friday members of the DPU, Crime Suppression Team, Property Crimes Unit and Community Peace Officers, executed 22 outstanding warrants resulting in the arrest of 11 people, charged three males with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and seized smaller quantities of drugs for destruction from 17 people.
“If we had the resources, that would be a normal occurrence, but that day was a busy day for us for sure.”
Darroch says the ongoing enforcement project runs on random days throughout the month, when they are able to properly resource it.
“We continue to see great results in the form of outstanding warrants executed, as well as taking people off the streets that are involved in the sale of drugs that are killing our downtown population,” said Darroch.
He explained that the project has been incredibly successful since its inception. When he started the project, Darroch said he could already see the behaviour change throughout the downtown core of those people involved in crime, within the same day.
“The project will be an ongoing thing and we will continue to try our hardest to make sure the community is safe,” said Darroch.
Police remind the public to continue reporting all suspicious and criminal activity happening in downtown, or anywhere in the city, by calling the LPS non-emergency line at 403-328-4444.
Some crimes can also be reported online, including theft under $5,000, mischief, theft from vehicles and damage to vehicles. There is also a category for ‘information only’ reports where citizens can report nuisance and non-criminal matters. Visit http://www.lethbridgepolice.ca and click online reporting. 3
-2
