Drug trafficking and open use targeted during enforcement project

Lethbridge Police apprehended nearly three dozen people openly using drugs and seized their illicit substances as part of an enforcement blitz targeting crime and social disorder downtown.

The project is the latest installment in a series of ongoing enforcement operations that have occurred throughout the summer. The initiative involves a combination of uniform and covert officers actively targeting offenders engaged in criminal activity and other negative behaviours downtown. 

In addition to halting the open drug use, police executed 84 arrest warrants, seized 170 doses of fentanyl and 100 doses of methamphetamine, laid 24 criminal charges, apprehended an impaired driver and issued 13 traffic violations. 

Targeted enforcement efforts to address prolific offenders and areas with high volumes of crime remain ongoing and businesses and visitors in the downtown area can expect to see an increased police presence on the days teams are deployed. 

Police remind the public to continue reporting all suspicious and criminal activity by calling 403-328-4444. LPS uses CompStat, a data-driven model where analytics are used to identify high-crime areas, prolific offenders and the most effective deployment of police resources. Knowing what is occurring, where it is happening and how often, helps give police an accurate picture of crime and disorder in the community, and enables more effective deployment of resources and enforcement strategies.

Some crimes can also be reported online, including theft under $10,000, mischief, theft from vehicles and damage to vehicles. There is also a category for ‘information only’ reports where citizens can report nuisance and non-criminal matters. Visit www.lethbridgepolice.ca and click online reporting.