Drug trafficking charges laid as part of ongoing enforcement project to target crime and disorder downtown

Lethbridge Police charged one man and one woman with separate incidents of drug trafficking as part of an enforcement project targeting crime and social disorder downtown that took place on July 29.

Martin Spiegelberg, 54, of Lethbridge, is charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, one count of possession of the proceeds of crime and three counts of failing to comply with release order conditions. He is currently awaiting a Judicial Interim Release hearing.  

Stacey Hubbard, 33, of Lethbridge, is charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, one count of resisting arrest and one count of failing to comply with release order conditions. Following a Judicial Interim Release hearing, Hubbard was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in court August 1.

During the operation, police also executed 34 outstanding warrants, arrested 14 people, laid 20 criminal charges, seized nearly 200 doses of fentanyl and methamphetamine, recovered one stolen vehicle and issued various tickets. 

The targeted enforcement project, which was initiated in March and will continue throughout 2024 as part of the Service’s Annual Policing Plan, involves a combination of uniform and covert officers actively targeting offenders engaged in criminal activity and other negative behaviours in the city centre. Businesses and visitors in the downtown area can expect to see an increased police presence on the days the teams are deployed as officers actively target high frequency offenders and areas with a high volume of crime.  

Police also remind the public to continue reporting all suspicious and criminal activity downtown – or anywhere in the city – by calling 403-328-4444. LPS uses CompStat, a data-driven model where analytics are used to identify high-crime areas, prolific offenders and the most effective deployment of police resources. Knowing what is occurring, where it is happening and how often, helps give police an accurate picture of crime and disorder in the community, and enables more effective deployment of resources and enforcement strategies. 

Some crimes can also be reported online, including theft under $10,000, mischief, theft from vehicles and damage to vehicles. There is also a category for ‘information only’ reports where citizens can report nuisance and non-criminal matters.