ESTEVAN — Two men arrested following a drug bust in Estevan on Aug. 9 were released on bail with conditions on Aug. 15. Another man and a woman also arrested following the same investigation have hearings pending.
After the Estevan Police Service (EPS), Joint Tactical Support Team (JTST), RCMP International Border Enforcement Team (IBET) and the Weyburn Police Service (WPS) executed search warrants at five locations in Estevan last week, Cody Klyne, 38, Devon Martell, 35, Brennan McKeen, 41, and Jessica McKeen, 37, were charged with possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine; possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine; trafficking a schedule I substance – cocaine; trafficking a schedule I substance – methamphetamine; and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
These warrants stemmed from a lengthy investigation led by the EPS Drug Unit. The EPS seized one kilogram of cocaine, 50 grams of methamphetamine, two rifles, a Ford F150 (offence-related property) and approximately $8,000 in Canadian currency, while the street value of the illicit drugs that were recovered exceeds $150,000, according to the EPS.
Following the arrest, the accused remained in custody and made their first court appearance on Aug. 12 at the Estevan Provincial Court, followed by a bail hearing for Martell and Brennan McKeen, as well as the request for judicial interim release and GPS electronic monitoring for Jessica McKeen on Aug. 13. Klyne's bail hearing was adjourned to Aug. 19.
Jessica McKeen's case is pending a report required for the GPS electronic monitoring, and she remained in custody until her next scheduled court appearance on Aug. 19. The Crown prosecutor and Martell's and Brennan McKeen's lawyer presented their arguments, and the judge postponed the decision until Aug. 16, when bail was granted to both individuals on conditions. The judge noted strong ties to the area the two individuals have, and the fact that they either don't have a criminal record or a previous criminal record doesn't indicate there is potential for them to escape.
On top of standard conditions, Brennan McKeen was ordered no contact with Martell and Klyne. He has to maintain his residence and not change the place of residence without approval from probation officer. He also is not allowed to have anything that can be used as a weapon on him, and can't possess firearms, ammunition or explosive substances.
He is also not allowed to attend the storage that was involved in the investigation. He isn't allowed to use any drugs, except for those prescribed by a doctor. He was allowed to have one cell phone, but with condition that it may be checked at the request of the EPS at any time. His residence and property also might be searched if there are reasonable grounds to suspect a breach of any conditions of the order.
Martell's conditions were very similar. He can't be in contact with the McKeens or Klyne. Besides, Martell, who is a registered owner of firearms, was ordered to surrender his firearms to the EPS to be stored until he either lawfully disposes of them, or the court proceeding is concluded.
Brennan McKeen and Martell were set to be spoken to on Aug. 19.
SaskToday will follow the situation.
