Four charged following drug bust make court appearances

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on March 30, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A man facing several drug-related offences with three other suspects could set a date for trial when his matter returns to court next month.

Marty Lee Fransen pleaded not guilty Thursday in Lethbridge court of justice to three counts of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of possession of the proceeds of crime. Calgary Lawyer Kirsten Lancee requested an adjournment to April 25, and said a pretrial conference will be scheduled in the meantime, which will determine a suitable date for trial.

On Feb. 1 Lethbridge police and Alberta sheriffs were conducting an investigation and saw activity consistent with drug trafficking. A man was arrested following a targeted traffic stop and police seized 162 grams of fentanyl, seven grams of methamphetamine and nearly eight grams of cocaine, as well as $300 cash from the proceeds of crime.

Police found a second vehicle in a southside parking lot and arrested three more men, and seized 30 narcotic pills, nearly 29 grams of cocaine, 12 grams of fentanyl, 67 grams of methamphetamine and buffing agent, along with $1,020 cash.

Police later searched a hotel room and found nearly 616 grams of cocaine, 18 grams of fentanyl, drug paraphernalia and about $28,000 cash.

The total street value of all the drugs seized is estimated to be more than $100,000.

Three other men have also been charged in relation to the drug bust.

Zachary Tracyn Randolf Bottle, 26, of Fort Macleod, is charged with four counts of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime and breach of a conditional sentence order. His matter was also in court Thursday where his lawyer told the judge Bottle has applied to drug treatment court.

Charles Edward Sitek, 30, of Calgary, is charged with two counts of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime. Sitek’s lawyer said he was still reviewing disclosure, and he also adjourned the matter to April 25 with Fransen and Bottle.

Edward Alexander Goodrich, 53, of Granum, is charged with four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime. Goodrich’s last court appearance was on March 21 and adjourned to April 18.