Woman pleads not guilty to involvement in Operation Suppression, going to trial

Two women arrested by police for drug trafficking as part of “Operation Suppression” will be heading to trial.

Defence counsel for Tameka Hazelaar entered not-guilty pleas Tuesday at the Medicine Hat Courthouse, opting to be tried before a provincial court judge. The 23-year-old woman is charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, possession for the purpose of trafficking heroin/fentanyl, possession methamphetamine and possess identity documents.

Also on Tuesday, defence counsel for Amanda Kaye elected for a preliminary hearing by Court of Queen’s bench, returning to court on Nov. 7 to set dates.

The 35-year-old woman was charged with two counts of trafficking methamphetamine and breach of probation.

The pair was among 20 arrested by police following a month-long project focused on street-level drug trafficking.

Alongside the not-guilty pleas, Hazelaar also pled guilty Tuesday to three counts of uttering forged documents.

In one incident she successfully deposited a fraudulent cheque for $1,062 into her bank account and then withdrew the amount. She also made two unsuccessful attempts to cash other cheques.

Adjournment

Another person with charges stemming from “operation suppression” also had a court appearance Tuesday.

Defence counsel for Jason Claude Tremblay requested an adjournment until Nov. 7 so that defence counsel can review disclosure. The 40year-old man is charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, proceeds of crime and breach of probation.

Counsel is also in the process of setting a new trial for Tremblay on a possession for the purposes of trafficking charge after police seized more than 800 fentanyl pills. He was originally found guilty of simple possession, but in June the Alberta Court of Appeal ordered a new trial.