ALERT’s Lethbridge team arrested a 24-year-old mother and rescued her newborn baby from a vehicle after she allegedly brought the little boy along on a suspected drug deal.
Police say the baby boy, who is less than a month old, was removed from a vehicle near Claresholm, Alberta along with nearly $9,000 worth of crack and powder cocaine.
Officers seized 85 grams of cocaine that was individually packaged and other drug paraphernalia, including digital scales and packaging materials.
The child’s mother, a 24-year-old Lethbridge woman, and a 17-year-old young offender were arrested Tuesday night.
Police say their investigators witnessed the accused engaged in behaviour consistent with drug trafficking and made the decision to prematurely conclude the investigation in order to protect the welfare of the child.
The 24-year-old Lethbridge woman is not being named to protect the identity of the baby and was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a controlled substance.
The 17-year-old youth was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of proceeds of crime.
The baby was placed in the care of a family member.
