Nearly a half-kilogram of cocaine and a .32-calibre handgun were seized during a recent bust in Lethbridge by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).

ALERT's Lethbridge organized crime and gang team made the seizure Tuesday after searching a vehicle and an apartment. The Lethbridge Police Service assisted with the search.

Police say the apartment, located on Berkeley Place West in Lethbridge, was being used to convert cocaine into crack.

A total of 474 grams of cocaine and 198 grams of a cocaine cutting agent were seized, along with drug trafficking paraphernalia.

Police estimate the drugs seized have a street value of $47,000.

"The presence of the firearm within the residence exhibits the lengths criminals will go to protect their drugs from other criminals by using violence or the threat of violence," said Staff Sgt. Jason Walper in a release.

"These weapons also present an increased risk to the public."

Three men were arrested.

Justin Reid, 27, is now facing charges of:

  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking.
  • Possession of a controlled substance.
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm.
  • Possession of a firearm knowing possession was unauthorized.
  • Possession of a prohibited firearm with readily accessible ammunition.
  • Possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.

Arthur Cranston, 58, and Guy Cranston, 56, both of Medicine Hat, are each charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime.