ALERT and LPS display the seizure of over one-million dollars' worth of drugs on January 25, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

By Sarah Jones

ALERT and Lethbridge Police make $1 million drug bust, largest since 2017

Jan 25, 2023 | 2:03 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) have released more information on what is described as one of the city’s largest drug busts in history.

Officials say that an estimated street value over one-million dollars’ worth of drugs was seized on December 20, 2022, after first responders searched two residences and two vehicles.

ALERT says search warrants resulted in paraphernalia being found in one home in the London Road area in South Lethbridge and in a northside garage in the neighbourhood of Winston Churchill.

The drugs seized include 5.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, 3.2 kilograms of cocaine, 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 418 grams of ketamine, and 35 grams of psilocybin mushrooms.

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Inspector Brad Lundeen with ALERT said in a press conference, “The totality of this seizure is huge. It not only benefits the citizens of Lethbridge, but surrounding communities as well. The impact of this seizure will reverberate throughout Southwest Alberta.”

ALERT also seized $79,000 in cash, as well as four firearms, one of which was a prohibited sawed-off shotgun. Another of the weapons was a loaded handgun that had been previously reported stolen from Redcliff, AB.

Patrick Rodney, 34, of Lethbridge, has been charged with 20 criminal offenses and remains in custody until his next scheduled court appearance on January 26, 2023.

A closer look at one of the multiple bags of seized fentanyl and stolen handgun on January 25, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

Police had been investigating the suspect since October 2022, after they were tipped off about a potential drug trafficking operation.

Lundeen went on to explain it was not ALERT’s first encounter with the suspect, saying, “I can speak specifically to ALERT, he was subject of a 2014 investigation as it related to drug trafficking activities, and he was charged and convicted for possession of purpose of trafficking.”

ALERT and LPS went on to indicate that the largest known drug seizure previously occurred in February 2017 when police seized $1.2 million of drugs.

That seizure primarily featured the seizure of ecstasy pills, cannabis, and psilocybin mushrooms.

Drugs seized include 5.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, 3.2 kilograms of cocaine, 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 418 grams of ketamine and 35 grams of psilocybin mushrooms. (Photo: LNN)

Lundeen added that while it isn’t typical to see wholesale volumes as they relate to cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl together, in the past year, it’s becoming a much more regular occurrence.

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).

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