A lawyer representing a man charged in connection with Red Deer’s biggest-ever fentanyl bust told a judge he is still waiting for more information from police.
Kevin Sproule is representing George Deighton, one of three Vancouver-area men charged last August after police descended on three Red Deer properties as part of a drug operation.
Police seized 3,521 fentanyl tablets weighing just over 2.1 kilograms. As well, 1,009 grams of cocaine, 429 grams of methamphetamine, 681 grams of a cutting agent and 360 grams of an as-yet-unconfirmed substance were taken off the street.
Police also seized five vehicles and $82,075 in cash.
Sproule told Red Deer provincial court Judge Bert Skinner that he has requested, but not yet received, information the police used to obtain search warrants in the case.
The federal Crown prosecutor has said the information is not necessary at this point to move the case forward, a position to which Sproule disagrees.
The disclosure has a bearing on whether to request a preliminary hearing for his client, among other issues, he said.
Skinner ordered that the information be provided by the next court date on March 26.
Deighton, 25, is facing four counts of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance and possession of property over $5,000 obtained by crime.
Raymond Tyrell Brown, 26, has been charged with four counts of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, possession of property over $5,000 obtained by crime and four counts of failing to comply with court orders.
Henry Ruttle, 25, has been charged with four counts of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance and possession of property over $5,000 obtained by crime.