Police in Lloydminster seize illicit drugs, cash and stolen rifle

Police in Lloydminster recovered a stolen firearm along with cash and drugs after searching two area homes last month.

Members of The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) Lloydminster organized crime team, along with RCMP officers, executed search warrants on April 18 and seized 165 grams of cocaine, small amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine, and $1,900 in cash. The drugs had a collective street value of roughly $17,000, police said in a Thursday news release.

Officers also seized a rifle that was reported stolen from the Edmonton area. Police said the rifle will be submitted to ALERT's provincial firearms solutions lab in order to analyze whether if it was used in any other crimes.

“These arrests help ensure Lloydminster remains a safe community. Firearms and drug trafficking are a dangerous combination that jeopardize our neighbourhood's well-being and put innocent people at risk,” said ALERT Lloydminster Sgt. Bruce MacLean, in the news release.

Matthew McAnally, 24, and 32-year-old Cody Ronning have each been charged with drug trafficking offences. A warrant has been issued for a third suspect, Shaun McLeod, 29.

McAnally has been released from custody and is awaiting his next court appearance on June 3. Police said Ronning had other outstanding warrants from a previous ALERT drug trafficking investigation and remains in custody.

Anyone with information on McLeod's location is asked to contact police. Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity can call local police or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers.