Drug possession charge withdrawn

A woman who was among several individuals arrested earlier this year relating to a police investigation into organized crime is no longer facing a criminal charge.

Misty Lee Helgeson was facing a single count of drug possession, but Thursday in Lethbridge provincial court the charge was withdrawn after the judge was told she had completed the Alternative Measures program.

The program allows offenders who have committed certain offences and met specific criteria to avoid the formal court process and possibly a criminal record. They must, however, accept responsibility for their actions and adhere to several conditions, which may include returning property or making restitution to the victim, apologizing to the victim, performing community service work, or donating to a registered charity. They may also be ordered to take counselling, to participate in a victim/offender reconciliation program and to be under the supervision of a probation officer.

Helgeson’s charge stems from a police investigation in which four people were arrested and charged, and firearms, money and drugs were seized.

Loaded shotguns, oxycondone and oxycocet pills, “magic” mushrooms, marijuana and fentanyl were among items seized by police investigating organized crime in Lethbridge and Coaldale. Two women were arrested, as well as two men, one of whom was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant.

The firearms were found last June in a Coaldale home where city police, Coaldale RCMP and members of the ALERT organized crime and gang unit arrested one of the suspects. Investigators seized six firearms, including two loaded 12-gauge sawed-off shotguns and a .22-gauge rifle.

Two others charged in connection to the police busts, Shane Journoud and Rikki Peters, are scheduled for trial in January.

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