Drug bust defendants scheduled to be back in court

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on October 6, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A Lethbridge man who disappeared after he was released from custody following a drug bust in February, is scheduled to be back in court today.

The matter for Brandon Douglas Rourke was in Lethbridge provincial court Wednesday, but simply adjourned for one day after the judge was told the Crown and defence are still discussing the case.

Rourke was one of three individuals arrested Feb. 8 when police, sheriffs and the tactical unit raided a home in the 500 block of 19 Street South and a commercial business bay in the 1700 block of 31 Street North.

Three suspects were arrested without incident, and during a search of the properties police seized about $3,000 worth of drugs, including 34 grams of methamphetamine and 2.2 grams of psilocybin (mushrooms). Police also seized three firearms and ammunition, $1,900 in cash, considered the proceeds of crime, and stolen property, including a motorcycle and another vehicle with a total value of about $2,400.

Rourke, 35, is charged with drug possession, possession of stolen property, careless use/storage of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He was released after a judicial interim release hearing but failed to attend court twice in March and warrants were issued for his arrest.

Christina Lynn Guest and Travis Robert Taylor were also charged in relation to the police bust.

Taylor, 31, faces several drug and weapons charges, as well as other unrelated offences. Taylor is currently in custody and his matters are also scheduled to be in court today.

Guest, 36, was charged with two counts of drug possession, possession of stolen property, two counts of careless use of a firearm, and two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. She was released from custody after a judicial interim release hearing with an initial court appearance for March 10, during which she was represented by duty counsel. However, she failed to attend court March 30 and a warrant was issued for her arrest. She remains at warrant.

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