Defence expected to take next step in drug case
By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on September 9, 2023.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com
A 25-year-old Calgary man accused of trying to smuggle drugs through the Coutts border late last year was represented in Lethbridge court of justice Thursday.
 An agent for Lethbridge lawyer Scott Hadford appeared on behalf of his client Jagroot Singh, 25, of Calgary in Lethbridge court of justice Thursday, to ask for an adjournment for Hadford to be able to review disclosure recently acquired with his client.
 Singh is charged with single counts of drug importation and drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, from an incident on Nov. 21 last year when officers with the Canada Border Services Agency seized 53 kg of cocaine following a search of a commercial transport vehicle at the Coutts border crossing. The drugs, worth about $5.3 million on the street, were hidden within a shipment of produce.
 Federal Crown prosecutor Mark Klassen agreed to an adjournment to Oct. 12, but asked for a direction from the court for defence to take the next step at that point.
 Judge Paul Pharo told defence that between Aug. 29 when they received disclosure and Oct. 12 there is well over a month, and it seemed like enough time to take the next step.
 “I’m going to allow the adjournment to Oct. 12, but I believe the defence should be able to take a step on that day,” said Pharo.
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9-8
Is he out on bail, and that’s why he was represented in court this way?