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Alleged gang member arrested during drug bust in Lethbridge

Mar 2, 2018 | 6:13 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The organized crime and gang team of ALERT Lethbridge has taken five people into custody, including an alleged member of the Mad Cowz gang.

In a media release from ALERT, they say they took Corey Amyotte and four others into custody on Wednesday, Feb. 28, as part of an investigation into drug trafficking in Lethbridge and the Blood First Nation Reserve.

“Timely intelligence sharing between our agencies was a key factor in making a quick arrest. Given the recent concerns related to fentanyl overdoses in both communities, we are not willing to take chances and will aggressively pursue drug dealers,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Walper of ALERT Lethbridge.

The initial information linking the 33-year-old from Manitoba to drug trafficking in the region came from Blood Tribe Police, while the Lethbridge Police Service helped execute search warrants and make the arrests at a downtown hotel. Two vehicles were also searched, and one was seized as offence related property.

As part of that search, police reportedly seized $10,000 worth of drugs and cash, including:

51 fentanyl pills;
Half a gram of suspected carfentanil;
24 grams of crack cocaine;
23 grams of methamphetamine;
48 codeine pills;
3 oxycodone pills;
18 grams of a suspected buffing agent; and
$1,875 cash proceeds of crime

Amyotte faces charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime, and breach of recognizance.

Four other individuals have also been charged with drug-related offences – Harmeet Singh Bhachu, 24, from Calgary, Brittany Bird, 25, Lethbridge, Tara Lynn Gearo, 35, from Calgary and Coral Olivos, 26 from Calgary.