Warrant issued for smuggling suspect

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man accused of trying to smuggle drugs and guns over the Canadian border.

The warrant was issued Wednesday after court was told Stephen Carl Drake had no intention of showing up for his trial scheduled for May 8-10. The warrant, however, will be held until May 8 just in case the accused changes his mind and attends court. If he doesn’t show up, the warrant will be released, although it may never actually be served unless Drake shows up in Canada.

The accused lives in Belen, New Mexico, and he likely won’t return to Alberta unless he decides to deal with charges of smuggling goods, making false statements to border officers, unauthorized importation of a firearm, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, importing narcotics, and drug possession,

Drake, 64, was charged last summer after a man arrived at the Coutts border crossing and was caught with drugs and a prohibited .22calibre handgun and a .22-calibre rifle.

His trial was cancelled Wednesday in Lethbridge provincial court and his lawyer, Tyson Dahlem of Calgary, who was represented by an agent, was permitted to withdraw as counsel.

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