An alleged Lethbridge drug dealer is facing several drug and weapon-related charges.
According to police, ALERT Lethbridge’s organized crime team arrested the man while he was getting into his vehicle on January 9th. Officers are said to have found a loaded handgun tucked into the waist of his pants.
According to police officials, during the arrest and search officers seized a suspected 3D-printed handgun, a significant amount of cocaine and opioids, along with $8,600 cash.
Staff Sergeant Trevor Sheppard says these types of guns are called ghost guns and are favoured by members of organized crime because they can go undetected.
“These pose a serious risk to our communities, especially in the hands of a drug dealer,” Sheppard says.
Officials say the gun was sent to ALERT’s Provincial Firearms Lab for further analysis and ballistics testing.
Austin Young is facing several charges including possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a loaded firearm and carrying a concealed weapon. Young remains in custody and is next scheduled to appear in court on January 16th.
According to police, last year the Firearms Lab, which handles the majority of gun examinations in Alberta, analyzed 29 3D-printed guns.
