TABER, ALBERTA — A two-year investigation into an organized crime network in southern Alberta has concluded with millions of dollars in assets seized, nine individuals charged, and a sprawling web of drug trafficking and money laundering dismantled.
Project Leadline, led by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT), focused on the communities of Taber, Lethbridge, and Coalhurst. Officers executed search warrants on three homes in Taber on April 29, 2025, resulting in a coordinated series of arrests.
Investigators say the network laundered drug proceeds into real estate, seizing seven properties worth an estimated $2.5 million. Authorities also froze eight bank accounts allegedly tied to illicit gains and recovered over $500,000 in street drugs.
Drugs and items seized included:
- 5,088 grams of cocaine
- 1,132 grams of suspected cocaine cutting agent
- 22 grams of fentanyl
- 253 grams of methamphetamine
- 500 methamphetamine pills
- 1,000 mL of GHB
- $91,941 in cash
- Two firearms
Nine individuals face 63 charges, including participation in a criminal organization, drug trafficking, criminal conspiracy, and money laundering.
Arrested:
- Duc Vo, 47, Lethbridge
- Nga (Linda) Vo, 45, Lethbridge
- Chantal Bareman, 40, Taber
- Ryden Melhalf, 20, Taber
Wanted:
- Johan Braun-Suderman, 38, Taber
- Kade Phillips, 36, Taber
- Gerhard Wolf, 38, Taber
- Malachy Young, 23, Taber
- A 19-year-old male (charged as a young offender)
Authorities encourage the public to report suspicious activity related to drugs or organized crime by contacting local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
