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Stiff fine for weed trafficker in Stettler Court

Brian Warman appeared in Alberta Provincial Court on Jan. 26 to answer to multiple drug-related offences, and was dealt a hefty fine.
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Alberta Provincial Court

Brian Warman appeared in Alberta Provincial Court in Stettler on Thursday, Jan. 26 to answer to multiple drug-related offences, and was dealt a hefty fine.

Warman, who appeared while in custody from the prisoners’ bench, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of cannabis marijuana for the purpose of trafficking in relation to an April 7, 2016, police stop in the Stettler area.

The Court heard that on that day, police ran a licence plate check on a vehicle and discovered that several warrants were outstanding on the vehicle’s owner, Brian Warman.

Police approached the vehicle and saw that there were several beer cans and cases, some empty, littering the vehicle. A man later identified as Warman was found in the vehicle.

Police advised Warman of the outstanding warrants, and he was arrested without incident.

During a search of the vehicle, police found an ammunition box in the trunk that had about seven ounces of marijuana within. A grinder and a digital scale were located in the trunk as well.

The 41-year-old Warman pleaded guilty to the drug charge, and a criminal code charge of unauthorized possession of a firearm was withdrawn.

Warman, who was in cuffs in the prisoners’ bench, declined to speak when provided the opportunity to do so.

Both Warman’s counsel and the Crown’s prosecutor, Gordon Hatch, presented a joint submission that would fine Warman $4,000 plus victim surcharge, plus have him banned from owning or possessing firearms for 10 years. He would also be required to provide a DNA sample for the national DNA database.

Furthermore, all items seized during the arrest would be forfeited, Judge J.A. Hunter was advised, should he agree to the submission.

As Warman did not offer up any argument, Judge Hunter agreed, sentencing Warman as per the submission.

Warman is not yet done with the courts, as he still has to answer to a Jan. 25, 2017 incident near Alix where he was arrested and charged with possession of cannabis marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, possession of oxycontin, possession of a stolen licence plate, operating a motor vehicle while disqualified, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle while not insured, and failure to comply with conditions.

No plea was entered in these matters and will return to court in February.

Preliminary hearing date set for Foley

Victor Foley, one of two men facing charges in relation to a methamphetamine lab bust in February 2016, appeared via CCTV from the Red Deer Remand Centre.

At his last appearance, Judge Hunter advised Foley and his counsel that he would have to set the first of his dates relating to the trial at this court date.

The preliminary hearing, the first step in going to trial, is set for July 25.