Drug charges withdrawn

Posted on October 26, 2023 by admin

By Delon Shurtz
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Criminal charges against a Raymond man relating to a traffic stop in Lethbridge during the summer have been withdrawn.

Andrew Glenn Whiteford, 33, was charged with three counts of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000, but they were withdrawn by the Crown on Oct. 12 in Lethbridge court of justice.

On June 21 members of the Property Crimes Unit and Crime Suppression Team concluded a short-term investigation into suspected drug trafficking activity. 

Police stopped a motor vehicle in a westside parking lot and a man and woman were taken into custody.

During a search of the vehicle, police reportedly seized 32 grams of fentanyl, 105 grams of cocaine and 48 grams of methamphetamine worth about $15,600 on the street. Police also seized $15,390 in cash, considered the proceeds of crime.

Whiteford was released from custody following a judicial interim release hearing, and the woman was released without charges.

Whiteford still faces additional charges unrelated to the traffic stop. The charges – four counts of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, and single counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000 and failure to comply with conditions of a release order – are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 26.