Five charged after two drug busts

$55K WORTH OF DRUGS SEIZED

Five people have been charged in two separate incidents last week where police seized in total more than $55,000 worth of drugs along with 11 firearms.

Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams announced the seizures and arrests in a news release on Tuesday. The operations involved homes being searched in Lethbridge, Coaldale and Fort MacLeod.

Members of ALERT Lethbridge’s organized crime and gang teams worked with officers from Lethbridge Police Service, Coaldale RCMP and Fort MacLeod RCMP in the investigations.

The two investigations were unrelated but both focused on addressing community concerns related to drug dealing.

On March 15, ALERT seized $30,000 worth of drugs and seven firearms after searching homes in north Lethbridge and Coaldale.

Items seized included: six rifles; a handgun; 205 grams of cocaine; 59 grams of methamphetamine; 31 grams of marijuana; and 14 illicit prescription pills.

Police have laid charges against: Michael Monahan, 36, Lethbridge, two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, and flight from police; Jordan Wensmann, 26, Coaldale, two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, and driving while suspended; and Jamie Delafosse, 41, Lethbridge, possession for the purpose of trafficking.

On March 17, more than $25,000 worth of drugs and four firearms were seized from a home in Fort MacLeod. Seized items included: three rifles; a shotgun; 222 grams of cocaine; three grams of heroin; 22 grams of methamphetamine; and nine grams of marijuana.

Police have laid charges against: Dean Jordan, 47, Fort MacLeod,

three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking; three counts of careless storage of a firearm, four counts of knowingly possess an unauthorized firearm, and possession of property obtained by crime; and Elaine Reid, 39, Fort MacLeod, three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, three counts of careless storage of a firearm, four counts of knowingly possess an unauthorized firearm, and possession of property obtained by crime.

“Organized crime and drug trafficking impact all of our communities and these two investigations demonstrate ALERT’s ability to work collaboratively across the region,” said ALERT Staff Sgt. Jason Walper.

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.

Follow @JWSchnarrHerald on Twitter