10 charges laid, $40,000 worth of drugs seized in Medicine Hat: ALERT

10 people face drug trafficking charges in Medicine Hat.

Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) say the purpose of the investigation was to stop street-level drug sales in southeast Alberta.

ALERT targets dealers selling fentanyl to the city's most vulnerable.

The investigation culminated in a January 31 search of a Medicine Hat hotel room.

ALERT says more than $40,000 worth of drugs were seized, including:

• 134 grams of fentanyl;

• 204 grams of methamphetamine;

• 19 grams of cocaine;

• 61 illegal prescription pills; and

• $4,000 cash.

Police laid a total of 48 charges.

ALERT says all of the defendants are known to police and several have been charged with violating their current probation.

Albertans who suspect drug or gang activity in their community are encouraged to call their local police department or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).