Lethbridge drug house shut down by Alberta Sheriffs

A Lethbridge drug house has been shut down for the second time in less than a year by Alberta Sheriffs, after illegal activities persisted at the site. 

The Alberta Sheriffs’ Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods or SCAN unit has obtained a court order against the owner of 1607 3 Avenue North, giving investigators the authority to close the property for 90 days, as of Thursday. Any tenancy agreement or lease is terminated effective on that date, requiring all tenants to vacate the premises. 

The community safety order, obtained in the Court of King’s Bench, bars people from the property until the closure period ends Nov. 20. The property will be boarded up and fenced and all locks will be changed. 

The closure is the property’s second this year. SCAN first shut it down Jan. 10 following repeated visits from Lethbridge Police and persistent complaints from area residents in response to recurring drug activity. While the initial closure ended April 9, conditions remained in place to prohibit further drug-related activity on-site. 

With evidence of illegal activities continuing at the property, SCAN successfully applied for another community safety order to close the property, as of Thursday. The latest closure was fast-tracked with the safety and comfort of area residents in mind and to expedite and encourage the property’s sale to a different owner. 

On July 31, Alberta Health Services ordered the property closed for being unfit for human habitation. All tenants were required to vacate the premises by Aug. 7. On Aug. 1, there was a suspected overdose death at the property. Recent attempts have been made by the lienholder to sell the property and a deal to sell the property fell through in June. The latest closure will enable the mortgage company to initiate another attempt at selling the property.