Man charged with drug offences back in court next week

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on August 13, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A 46-year-old Lethbridge man facing a dozen criminal charges may seek his release from remand custody when he returns to court next week.

Robert Joseph Zimmer appeared briefly in Lethbridge provincial court Thursday, but his matter was adjourned for a week, ostensibly for a bail hearing.

Zimmer, who appeared in court by CCTV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, is charged with four counts of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, three counts of failure to comply with previous release conditions, two counts of possession of a stolen credit card, and single counts of possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon, possession of stolen property under $5,000, and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

The charges stem from a short-term drug investigation after police responded to reports of a man trafficking drugs to the vulnerable population downtown. After observing activity consistent with drug trafficking, a suspect was arrested Tuesday at a residence in the 500 block of 12 Street North.

Police searched the residence and seized $13,000 worth of drugs, including 58.4 grams of methamphetamine, 45.7 grams of fentanyl, 11.2 grams of cocaine, 26 codeine pills, and a quantity of unknown pills. Police also found more than $17,000 cash, knives, bear spray, pellet guns and ammunition, and stolen property, including power tools and credit cards.

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