Latest news with #ProjectLeadline
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Calgary Herald
ALERT-led organized crime investigation results in charges, drug seizures and frozen assets
Article content A lengthy organized crime investigation in southern Alberta has led to charges against nine people, drug seizures and the freezing of assets worth more than $2 million. Article content Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams Insp. Brad Lundeen said Thursday that the two-year police investigation, called Project Leadline, dismantled an extensive drug network in southern Alberta. Article content Article content Article content 'The prime group was linked to Taber, Lethbridge and Coalhurst, but the scope of the investigation would have impacted all communities in the region,' said Lundeen. Article content Article content On April 29, police searched three Taber residences, making arrests and seizures. Residents of Taber, about 200 kilometres southeast of Calgary, were told they could expect a heavy police presence that day. Article content As a result of those searches, ALERT seized $500,000 worth of drugs and froze more than $2 million in assets, including property, houses and bank accounts, linked to suspected drug trafficking activity, said Lundeen. Article content 'This group was using real estate to launder proceeds of crime,' he alleged. Article content The drugs seized included five kilograms of cocaine, 22 grams of fentanyl, 253 grams of methamphetamine, 500 methamphetamine pills and a litre of GHB, as well as 1,132 grams of a suspected cocaine buffing agent. Police also seized $91,941 in cash and two firearms. Article content Article content Article content Two Lethbridge residents, Duc Vo, 47, and Nga (Linda) Vo, 45, have been arrested, as have two Taber residents, Chantal Bareman, 40, and Ryden Melhalf, 20. Article content Warrants have been issued for four Taber residents: Johan Braun-Suderman, 38; Kade Phillips, 36; Gerhard Wolf, 38; and Malachy Young, 23. A warrant has also been issued for a 19-year-old charged as a young offender. Article content The nine suspects face a total of 63 charges related to participating in a criminal organization, drug trafficking, criminal conspiracy and money laundering. Article content Numerous agencies were involved in the ALERT-led Project Leadline investigation, including Lethbridge, Taber and Calgary police, various RCMP units, Canada Border Services Agency, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security, Forensic Accounting Management Group and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada. Article content Money laundering investigations require specialized investigative tools to figure out where the cash is going, how it's being used and how attempts are being made to turn the money into legitimate income, said Lundeen.
Calgary Herald
29-04-2025
- Calgary Herald
Heavy police presence in Taber Tuesday as ALERT searches locations, makes arrests and seizures
Article content Police searched three Taber residences, making arrests and seizures, on Tuesday as part of an organized crime investigation. Article content Article content The investigation, called Project Leadline, has lasted over a year and is led by ALERT Lethbridge, with help from Taber Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service and the RCMP. Article content ALERT said Tuesday that residents of Taber, about 200 kilometres southeast of Calgary, can expect a heavy police presence. Article content Police will provide more information at a later date. Article content
CTV News
29-04-2025
- CTV News
Taber to see heavy police presence during organized crime investigation
Residents living in Taber can expect a heavy police presence amid an ongoing investigation into organized crime in the area. Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) says the investigation, called Project Leadline, involves them, Taber police, Lethbridge police and RCMP. 'Search warrants are being executed on (Tuesday) at locations in Taber,' ALERT said in a news release. 'Arrests and seizures are on-going.' ALERT says further information about the investigation will be released at a later time. Taber is located roughly 45 kilometres east of Lethbridge. Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call police or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
