Co-operation between the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit and police in Lethbridge has allowed authorities to shut down a drug house and lay criminal charges against the occupants.
SCAN investigators obtained a Community Safety Order (CSO) against the owner of 611 – 15 Street South, giving them the authority to close the property and bar anyone from living there for 90 days. The SCAN unit is erecting a fence around the property, boarding up the windows and changing the locks.
“This is an example of how the combined efforts of the SCAN unit and our police partners are keeping Albertans safe. SCAN gives authorities an added tool by targeting problem properties associated with criminal activity.”
The SCAN investigation began in September 2016, when the unit was in Lethbridge to close another property. The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) asked SCAN to investigate 611 – 15 Street South, in response to multiple complaints about drug activity.
SCAN gathered evidence that helped LPS obtain a search warrant in connection with its own investigation on Sept. 29. Police seized drugs, replica firearms, ammunition and cash, resulting in charges against two people renting the property.
When the drug activity continued, SCAN went to Court of Queen’s Bench on Nov. 22 to obtain the CSO. In addition to closing the house for 90 days, the order puts restrictions on occupancy for one year from the court date.