LETHBRIDGE – Ten people have been charged after Lethbridge Regional Police recovered five guns and $20,000 worth of drugs and counterfeit currency.
Arrests were made after an investigation led police to several drug-trade incidents involving the theft and trafficking of firearms.
“At the end of the day, it’s the safety to get, in totality, five guns off the street and out of the drug world,” Sgt. Mark Smallbones said. “It means that somebody’s life is going to be spared out there, whether it’s a civilian or a police officer, just some innocent life.”
An eight-month old baby girl – the daughter of two of the charged – was inside the home and apprehended by Child and Family Services. She remains in their custody.
“I can’t get into too much of the detail,” Smallbones said. “But, being a father myself, it’s always tough to see kids who are involved in this culture.”
A search warrant was executed on Nov. 19 at a home along the 700 Block of Heritage Boulevard West. Police seized a loaded bolt-action rifle, ammunition, Oxycodone, MDMA, methamphetamine and nearly $1,000 in counterfeit currency, along with drug paraphernalia and stolen property. A 20-year-old male, 38-year-old female and 25-year-old female were arrested.
On Nov. 22, just after 1 a.m., police responded to a report of a break and enter in progress at north-side home. A window was broken and the front door open. Nobody was home, but drugs, firearms and counterfeit currency were discovered inside the home.
Later that morning, several suspects were identified and patrols, along with the tactical team, searched a home along the 100 Block of Grand River Boulevard. A 30-year-old female and a 27-year-old female exited the home and were arrested without incident.
Then, on Nov. 23, two additional suspects, a 25-year-old male and 25-year-old female, were arrested at separate locations without incident.
Finally, on Nov. 24, members of the Tactical Team were again deployed to assist the LRPS priority crimes unit with a high-risk search warrant for firearms at a home along the 2700 Block of 6 Avenue north. A 20-year-old female, 26-year-old male and 45-year-old male were subsequently arrested. A stolen hand gun was recovered along with cocaine and methamphetamine.
When asked whether the number of weapons and drugs on the street were increasing in Lethbridge, Sgt. Smallbones said, “in my 17 years, I would say ‘yes.'” However, he added, “at the same point, I still live in this community, my kids still live in this community, I still feel safe in this community.”
All of the parties facing charges are associated to one another through the drug trade. The investigation continues, with efforts ongoing to recover one missing hand gun.
List of suspects charged by LRPS:
- Brandi-May Sokol, 38, of Lethbridge
- Dylan Ivan Sokol, 20, of Lethbridge
- Samantha Rae Hattersley, 25, of Lethbridge
- Kristen Rebecca Riemann, 30, of Lethbridge
- Mereanda Josephine Sorensen, 27, of Lethbridge
- Samantha Rae Hattersley, 25, of Lethbridge
- Grant Yves Lamane, 25, of Lethbridge
- A 26-year-old Lethbridge man, who cannot be identified as doing so could identify a child in care
- A 20-year-old Lethbridge woman, who cannot be identified as doing so could identify a child in care
- Jason Morin, 45, of Lethbridge
- Jordan Russell Sloan, 21, of Lethbridge
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