Man charged in major drug bust seeks release
By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on January 27, 2023.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com A 34-year-old man charged in relation to one of the city’s largest drug busts, is working on a plan for his release from custody.Calgary lawyer Brad Kraus said Thursday in Lethbridge provincial court he is waiting to receive more disclosure from the Crown’s office, which will help his client, Patrick Rodney, gain his release.
“Mr. Rodney needs some time to fully construct a bail plan that can be proposed,” Kraus said. “As well, that additional disclosure will certainly be helpful in further ascertaining the allegations,” Kraus said.
On Dec. 20 of last year ALERT Lethbridge’s organized crime team and the Lethbridge Police Service seized more than $1 million worth of drugs and cash, after searching two vehicles, a home in the London Road area and a garage in the neighbourhood of Winston Churchill High School.
Police found four firearms, including a prohibited sawed-off shotgun and a loaded handgun that had been reported stolen from Redcliff, and they seized two vehicles, $79,000 in cash, and 5.2 kg of methamphetamine, 3.2 kg of cocaine, 1.6 kg of fentanyl powder, 418 grams of ketamine, and 35 grams of psilocybin mushrooms.
Rodney, who appeared in court by CCTV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, is charged with five counts of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, two counts each of unlawful storage of a firearm, knowingly possessing a prohibited or restricted weapon, knowingly possessing an unauthorized firearm, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, and single counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, possession of a firearm obtained by crime, possession of a prohibited weapon, and use of a firearm while committing an offence. He is also charged with breach of probation stemming from a firearm prohibition in 2014.
Rodney’s matter is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 2. Follow @DShurtzHerald on Twitter 4
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