Items seized by police as part of 'Project Flip'. (Photo: ALERT)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge man charged in connection with ALERT investigation

Jan 17, 2024 | 3:46 PM

FORT MCMURRAY, AB – A long-running operation by Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) has led to the arrest of five individuals, including a man from Lethbridge.

The operation, dubbed Project Flip, started in the fall of 2021. Police said it resulted in the seizure of almost a quarter of a million dollars worth of drugs. The operation focused on an alleged drug trafficking network in Fort McMurray and Edmonton.

ALERT Fort McMurray’s organized crime team seized 2,300 grams of cocaine, 792 grams of suspected buffing agents, and almost $30,000 in cash. Additionally, police said smaller quantities of methamphetamine, MDMA, ketamine, and illicit Xanax were seized during the investigation.

Staff Sergeant Mark Wait said, “Project Flip is a great example of an investigation being worked on from the ground up. We were able to work with the Wood Buffalo RCMP detachment to target street-level dealers, and from there built a successful investigation that toppled the network and supply.”

The operation was launched in the aftermath of a Wood Buffalo RCMP investigation into street-level drug sales that dates back to November 2021. Police said from that investigation, ALERT was able to develop criminal intelligence about suppliers and the larger drug trafficking network impacting the region.

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Chief Superintendent with the Wood Buffalo RCMP, Mark Hancock stated, “The strong ongoing partnership with ALERT and Wood Buffalo Detachment is essential in order to keep our communities safe. Our joint response to crimes related to illicit drugs are a priority for the RCMP in Wood Buffalo as the community has identified drug trafficking as a priority for the police.”

As part of Project Flip, search warrants were executed in Fort McMurray and Kelowna, British Columbia. Three homes were searched. Arrests happened between December 12 and 15, 2023, with a total of 14 criminal charges laid against the five suspects.

The following individuals were charged as part of Project Flip:

• Martin Spiegelberg, 53, of Lethbridge – charged with conspiracy to traffic drugs and drug trafficking
• Braeden Kreutzer, 25, of Kelowna – charged with conspiracy to traffic drugs and drug trafficking
• Theresa Lemky, 25, of Edmonton – charged with conspiracy to traffic drugs and drug trafficking
• Adam Osman, 27, of Fort McMurray – charged with conspiracy to traffic drugs, drug trafficking, and possession of proceeds of crime
• Joshua Siojo, 26, of Edmonton – charged with conspiracy to traffic drugs, drug trafficking, and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking

ALERT said all of the suspects have been released from custody and are awaiting court dates.

Officials added that the operation relied on help from various policing agencies, including the Wood Buffalo RCMP, St. Albert RCMP, Edmonton Police Service, CFSEU-B.C. (Kelowna), and the Lethbridge Police Service.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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