A lengthy investigation led by ALERT resulted in the seizure of drugs, weapons and cash from a drug network in southwest Alberta.
Following a lengthy organized crime investigation in southwest Alberta, ALERT has charged nine suspects, seized large amounts of cocaine, and restrained more than $2.5 million in assets linked to drug trafficking.
Project Leadline is a two-year investigation led by ALERT Lethbridge, with help from Taber Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, and the RCMP.
The investigation dismantled an extensive drug trafficking network that was also involved in money laundering activities.
ALERT searched three Taber homes on April 29 and a series of arrests took place following that date.
Nine people have been charged, including the criminal organization’s alleged leadership.
Together, they face 63 charges related to participation in a criminal organization, drug trafficking, criminal conspiracy, and money laundering.
Four suspects have been arrested and warrants have been issued for the remaining five suspects.
ALERT’s investigation proved exhaustive and also explored the ill-gotten financial gains.
ALERT has criminally restrained seven properties and eight bank accounts allegedly linked to the group’s criminal proceeds of crime.
These homes were located in Lethbridge and Coalhurst.
Project Leadline has resulted in the seizure of over half a million dollars’ in drugs and cash, and included two firearms; 5,088 grams of cocaine; 1,132 grams of a suspected cocaine buffing agent; 22 grams of fentanyl; 253 grams of methamphetamine; 500 methamphetamine pills; 1,000 milliliters of GHB; and $91,941 cash.
Police arrested Duc Vo, 47, and Nga (Linda) Vo, 45, both of Lethbridge, and Chantal Bareman, 40, and Ryden Melhalf, 20, both of Taber.
Warrants have been issued for Johan Braun-Suderman, 38, Kade Phillips, 36, Gerhard Wolf, 38, Malachy Young, 23, and a young offender, all of Taber.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact police.
ALERT relied on the assistance from Calgary, Taber and Lethbridge police services, RCMP’s National Weapons Enforcement Support Team, Canada Border Services Agency, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Homeland Security, Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada and Canada’s Seized Property Management Directorate.
Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
