A Tip That Unravelled Fast
It started with information that a man on Lethbridge's west side was illegally in possession of firearms. By the time police were done, they had two people in custody, three loaded guns off the street, and enough drugs to fuel a serious trafficking operation.
Lethbridge police opened the investigation on April 17. As it progressed, the man and a woman were spotted in a vehicle engaging in activity consistent with drug trafficking. With the added risk of possible firearms on scene, the Critical Incident Team was called in. The two were arrested without incident in an alley behind Mt Rundle Boulevard.
What Was Inside the Vehicle
The search of the vehicle is where things got serious.
Officers found a loaded Sten submachine gun fitted with a suppressor a weapon that has no business being in a civilian vehicle alongside a loaded sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun. On the drug side: approximately 210 grams of methamphetamine, 158 grams of cocaine, 160 synthetic opiate pills, and nearly $1,400 in cash.
The House Search Turned Up More
Police obtained a search warrant for a nearby residence along Mt Rundle Boulevard. Inside, they found a second loaded sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun, a sawed-off .22 Ruger rifle, and significant quantities of handgun and shotgun ammunition.
Three loaded firearms total. All of them illegal. All of them ready to use.
The Charges
Vance Elton Rocky Roger Pidborochynski, 36, and Shelby Lee Filkowski, 30, both of Lethbridge, each face charges including possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, careless use of a firearm, tampering with a serial number, unauthorized possession in a motor vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Between the two of them, the charge count sits at 28.
Both were remanded in custody and appeared in court April 20.
Source:
Lethbridge Police Service
