ESTEVAN - The people who were charged in a couple of drug busts in Estevan in 2024 had their matters heard in Estevan Provincial Court on Monday.
Cody Blaine Klyne, Devon William Martell, Brennan Stephen McKeen and Jessica Louise Rutter-McKeen made another appearance in connection with their arrests last August.
All four have a preliminary hearing slated for Aug. 25 and 26; the hearing will be used to determine if there is enough evidence for their matters to proceed to trial.
Their appearance on Monday was for election on a judge or jury trial. Klyne had already said he wanted a judge and jury trial in Court of King's Bench, while McKeen and Rutter-McKeen and their lawyers agreed they want the same. Martell's election for a trial was adjourned to Jan. 20, as he was not in court Monday and his lawyer wasn't on the phone, and there wasn't a designation of legal counsel for Martell on file.
Background: The four were arrested Aug. 9 after search warrants were executed at five locations in Estevan. They were charged with possession of a schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine); possession of a schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine); trafficking a schedule 1 substance (cocaine); trafficking a schedule 1 substance (methamphetamine); and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Klyne is also charged with violating the conditions of a release order, stemming from prior charges.
The Estevan Police Service said it seized one kilogram of cocaine, 50 grams of methamphetamine, two rifles, a Ford F150 that the EPS said is offence-related property, and approximately $8,000 in Canadian currency. The street value of the illicit drugs recovered, according to the EPS, was $150,000.
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Also on Monday, Minhaaz Aryan Ali and Christina McGillivary had their matters adjourned to Feb. 3 in Estevan. The two, both from B.C., were arrested in Estevan in late October.
McGillivray appeared by phone while Ali was not present. A bench warrant has been issued for Ali for his next appearance. Both remain in custody.
Background: According to the Estevan Police Service, members executed a search warrant at a hotel after Ali and McGillivray were arrested for drug trafficking offences during a traffic stop.
The search warrant stemmed from an EPS Patrol Division investigation which led to the seizure of cocaine with a street value of approximately $80,000 and more than $5,000 in Canadian currency.
As a result of the investigation, Ali and McGillivray were charged with possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine); trafficking a schedule I substance (cocaine); and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
The charges in the drug cases have not been proven in court.
Â鶹´«Ã½ will continue to follow these matters.
