Latest news with #ALERT
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
Street-level drug trafficking crackdown in Lethbridge results in more than two dozen arrests
Lethbridge police and partners Alberta Sheriffs and ALERT ran an operation cracking down on street-level drug trafficking in April and May. (FILE PHOTO) Over six weeks, police in Lethbridge arrested 26 people and laid 156 charges in a crackdown on street-level drug trafficking. Lethbridge police and partners Alberta Sheriffs and ALERT ran the operation in April and May. 'With a significant increase in public drug use, trafficking and related criminal activities such as break-ins and vehicle thefts, police worked to target street- and mid-level dealers in an effort to disrupt the distribution of drugs and reduce crime and social disorder,' Lethbridge police said in a release on Thursday. Highlights of the operation include: 26 arrests made; 156 Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act charges laid; Nearly 12,000 street doses of fentanyl and methamphetamine seized; Smaller quantities of narcotic pills, psilocybin and MDMA seized; and A firearm, seven vehicles and nearly $17,000 in cash proceeds of crime seized. Police encourage anyone who sees criminal or suspicious activity to call them at 403-328-4444. In Lethbridge, that information is used to fuel CompStat, 'a data-driven model where analytics are used to identify high-crime areas, prolific offenders and the most effective deployment of police resources.' More operations are planned for 2025.
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Two arrested in Medicine Hat cocaine bust
The ALERT logo is seen in a meeting room in Calgary. (CTV News) Authorities say two Medicine Hat residents are facing charges in connection with a significant cocaine bust this month. The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT), with assistance from the Medicine Hat Police Service and Redcliff RCMP, were first alerted to the incident when a vehicle was stopped near Redcliff on June 3. During the stop, police found more than a kilogram of cocaine in the vehicle. Officials say the drugs have an estimated street value of $125,000. Police also searched two homes in Medicine Hat in connection with the investigation, where they seized $9,180 in cash, believed to be proceeds of crime. A 24-year-old man and 46-year-old woman both face drug and weapons charges. 'This is a sizeable seizure for Medicine Hat and spared our community considerable harm,' said Staff Sgt. Ryan Thorburn, ALERT Medicine Hat, in a release. Both suspects remain in custody.
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Police seize 3 handguns, $320K worth of drugs and $50K in cash from southeast Calgary apartment
Police who specialize in combating organized crime say they've arrested one man and seized hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of cash and drugs along with three handguns from an apartment in the southeast Calgary community of Seton. The seizure happened on May 22 after members of the the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) executed a search warrant on the apartment. "The combination of drugs and handguns yield a considerable threat to community safety," Staff Sgt. Hayley Marquis said in a release. The three handguns were loaded and seized along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition, according to police. Two of the guns were reported stolen: one from Redcliff, Alta. and the other from Pincher Creek, Alta. Officers also seized two kilograms of cocaine and two kilograms of methamphetamine, which they estimate could be sold for $320,000, along with $51,000 in cash. A Calgary man was charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime, and multiple firearms-related offences.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Arrest made after $320K worth of drugs seized from Seton apartment
Police seized guns and approximately $320,000 worth of drugs from a southeast Calgary apartment during a May investigation. Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) launched its investigation into suspected drug activity in April. ALERT's investigation led them to an apartment in the community of Seton on May 22. Three loaded handguns were seized, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Police also discovered 2,002 grams of cocaine, 2,008 grams of methamphetamine and $51,000 in cash. A man was arrested as part of the investigation and was charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime and multiple firearms-related offences. ALERT noted the man had a lifetime firearms prohibition due to a previous conviction. Anyone who suspects drug or gang activity is occurring in their community can call their local police or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Axios
4 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Trans community most targeted in anti-LGBTQ+ incidents, GLAAD data shows
Transgender and gender-nonconforming people were the target of over half of all anti-LGBTQ+ incidents tracked by GLAAD over the last year in a new report. The big picture: President Trump has singled out the transgender community in several executive orders, jeopardizing federal recognition for people's declared gender identity and access to services like gender-affirming health care. Meanwhile, ongoing court cases, including one about gender-affirming care for minors before the Supreme Court, could affect LGBTQ+ rights. Yes, but: The challenges the community face stretch beyond legislation. GLAAD's new Anti-LGBTQ Extremism Reporting Tracker (ALERT) data depicts the threats LGBTQ+ people face in daily life, even as the share of Americans who are part of the community rises. "When we allow our politicians and our leaders to spread this anti-trans rhetoric, we see the very real impacts of that on the lived experiences of trans people," said Sarah Moore, who runs the tracker for GLAAD. Driving the news: GLAAD counted more than 930 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents from May 2024 through April 2025, 52% of which targeted transgender and gender nonconforming people, across 49 states and Washington, D.C. The overall number of incidents is down from GLAAD's prior count, but incidents targeting transgender people were up 14% from the 2023-2024 data. Tracked violent attacks resulted in 84 injuries and 10 deaths. The most common incidents GLAAD tracked were protests and rallies. The report also tracks verbal and written threats, assault, vandalism and other criminal and non-criminal incidents. Moore says the tracker includes "every expression of hate," even if it is not criminal, because "LGBTQ people are going to experience these things as acts of hate, regardless of if they're prosecuted as that." Zoom in: Incidents targeting state and local governments saw a 57% spike year-over-year. GLAAD said that coincides with hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in the 2025 legislative sessions. Case in point: Minnesota state Rep. Leigh Finke understands the double-edged nature of representation: As the first openly transgender member of the state legislature, she's championed LGBTQ+ rights. But Finke said she's also been the target of lies, harassment and threats. Her first year in office brought "the most rewarding" professional experiences of her life. But it was "easily ... the worst year, personally, that I've ever had." While the physical intimidation has eased, she faces the pressure of a national spotlight brought on in part by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's Washington bid, where Trump and others targeted his support for transgender people. "It is building a civic society and understanding ... that trans involvement, trans presence, is a threat," Finke said. "Either we're too strong for sports or too weak for the military." This year also brought the murder of Sam Nordquist, a Black transgender Minnesota man. Seven people, including a woman he'd fallen for online, were charged with murder and accused of torturing him for weeks before killing him. "The truth is that I can tell you how terrible it is for me to be constantly harassed," Finke said. "But our Black trans family are getting murdered." The bottom line: While Finke notes acts of violence are not directly tied to the Trump administration, his policies and the "language of dehumanization and ... language of eradication" have consequences. The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment. The transgender community needs federal protections, she said, though the odds of legislation passing now are slim. Beyond government action, cultural change must foster a safer environment, Finke added. "We have to continue to make our stories known," Finke said. "That's going to continue to be hard and create pushback, but ... it's what we have to do."
