Man facing drug charges wants new lawyer

By Lethbridge Herald on July 22, 2023.

Delon Shurtz
Lethbridge Herald

A Stand Off man who faces multiple drug-related charges from incidents last month and late last year, is looking for a new lawyer.

Larry Healy Jr. made a brief appearance in Lethbridge court of justice Thursday, where he confirmed he no longer wants to be represented by his current lawyer. He was granted an adjournment, but ordered to return to court July 27 with new counsel. In the meantime he remains in custody at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre.

Healy is charged with four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, and one count of possession of the proceeds of crime relating to alleged drug trafficking last month.

On the evening of June 8, police responded to multiple reports of drug trafficking in the area of 4 Avenue and 12 Street South. Police identified a suspect, and as they approached him he tried to dispose of items in his possession.

Police recovered a significant amount of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and nearly $1,600 cash, and the man was arrested without incident. During a search of the man’s vehicle, police seized additional quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as a machete, three knives and drug paraphernalia.

In total, police seized 111 grams of fentanyl, 138 grams of methamphetamine, 11 grams of crack and six grams of cocaine. The combined value of the drugs is nearly $31,000.

Healy was also charged with two counts of failing to comply with bail conditions stemming from previous drug trafficking charges last year.

Police reported that about 10:15 p.m. Dec. 22 officers were patrolling in the 300 block of 4 Street and 5 Street South following multiple fentanyl overdoses during the previous hour. They noticed a truck in an alley with the engine running, lights on and the driver slumped over.

Police saw “a significant quantity of methamphetamine” in the driver’s possession, and after he was awakened, he was taken into custody.

Police seized about 15 grams of cocaine, 204 grams of methamphetamine, equivalent to more than 2,000 doses, and 485 grams of fentanyl, which equals more than 4,000 doses. Police estimated the drugs are worth more than $157,000 on the street, which is the largest seizure of fentanyl in the downtown core. They also seized drug paraphernalia, brass knuckles, suspected stolen property and $1,000 in cash.

Healy was released on bail in February, and during a subsequent court hearing on June 8 the judge agreed to amend his previous bail conditions and remove the requirement that he be on house arrest 24 hours a day. The condition of house arrest was replaced by a curfew between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. every day.

Later that day, however, he was arrested in relation to the latest drug-related offences.

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