By CHAT News Today

Four facing drug and weapons charges following brief investigation

Feb 1, 2018 | 9:12 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team have seized three firearms and arrested four alleged methamphetamine dealers in Medicine Hat following a brief investigation in alleged drug and firearms trafficking.

“On the onset of the investigation we targeted the group specifically for the methamphetamine,” said Staff Sgt. Cory Both. “It came to light during the investigation that these people were into the business of trafficking the guns as well.”

ALERT’s Medicine Hat team made the arrested and seizures on Tuesday, with assistance from RCMP. Nearly 100 grams of methamphetamine was seized, along with smaller quantities of cocaine and fentanyl.

Officers also seized a Smith and Wesson handgun, two .22 calibre rifles and 128 rounds of ammunition.

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Lane Hogg, 34, Riley Lundy, 24, Alicia Myles, 29 and Cory Rieger, 42, were arrested during the investigation.

Hogg is charged with four counts of drug trafficking, possession of methamphetamine, trafficking a firearm, possession of proceeds of crime, two counts of breach of weapons probation and six other firearms related offences.

Rieger is charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking firearms, two counts of trafficking firearms, and six other firearms offences..

Myles was charged with one count each of drug trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, drug possession and possession of proceeds of crime.

Lundy was charged with two counts of drug trafficking and one count of drug possession.

Police have seen an increase in the number of weapons, specifically guns, involved in drug investigations here in Medicine Hat.

In 2015, 21 firearms were seized, in 2016 there were 20, and last year police seized 27 guns directly related to drug investigations.

Both said the increase in firearms can be linked back to the increase in meth trafficking.

“With meth, we see a rise in violence across the board,” said Both. “Once you add firearms into the mix it becomes increasingly more concerning.”

2017 was a record year for meth seizures. Between police and ALERT, 3.5 kilograms of meth was taken off the streets. That more than doubled from the 1.5 kilograms seized in 2016, and is significantly higher than the 300 grams in 2015.

Both said police are continuing to focus on the meth trade as it poses the greatest threat to the community at this time.

“Anytime you’ve got firearms in the hands of unpredictable violent people who are desperate and aren’t in their right mind, it is highly concerning,” he explained. “We want to focus our efforts on trying to prevent that as much as possible.”

Both said there are several drug investigations currently underway in Medicine Hat.