Calgary man gets prison for trafficking fentanyl

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on May 28, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A Calgary man who was arrested in the spring of 2022 after he and another man were caught in Lethbridge with 300 grams of fentanyl, has been sent to a federal penitentiary.

Robert Forrest Watt was sentenced last week in Lethbridge court of justice to three- and-a-half years in prison. The 36-year-old man had previously pleaded guilty to one count of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, but sentencing was adjourned while the Crown and defence worked out an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation for the judge.

They also needed to discuss, had the matter gone to trial, whether the drugs were intended for wholesale or commercial trafficking, the federal Crown said.

Following an investigation by the Lethbridge Police Service’s Crime Suppression Team into drug activity, police searched a home in the 1600 block of 23 Street South and seized cash and $60,000 worth of fentanyl.

Andres Joseph Connors, was also charged in relation to the drug bust, and received a similar prison sentence, Calgary lawyer Robin McIntyre told the judge.

McIntyre said Watt struggles with drug addiction, but has been sober for some time, despite a recent relapse when he was unable to get suboxone, which is prescribed to treat dependence on opioids.

“Ultimately he is taking responsibility for his actions,” McIntyre said. “His goal going forward is to get into computer coding, so he’s hoping that the penitentiary will have some programs to that effect.”

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