Bail denied for man accused of trafficking dangerous drugs

Bail was denied Tuesday to a Medicine Hat man facing drug trafficking charges for methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl.

Judge Dietrich Brand sided with the Federal Crown at the Medicine Hat Courthouse, refusing to release Derek Potter from custody following his arrest in March.

Potter was arrested following police investigations where undercover officers made drug purchases. He was originally charged with just trafficking meth and heroin, but an additional charge was added as the seized heroin was analyzed and found to be mixed with fentanyl. While Potter’s arrest occurred in March, delays in moving forward with the case have occurred due to changes in defence counsel. His next court appearance is Nov. 14.

Bail denied

Bail was denied Tuesday to a 25-year-old man facing four counts of drug trafficking following a two-month investigation by police to disrupt street-level drug trafficking this past spring.

Wrayne Wawia appeared before court through closedcircuit TV from the Medicine Hat Remand Centre for his bail hearing, with the judge siding with the Federal Crown and denying his release.

Wawia’s charges stem from multiple drug purchases made by undercover officers for meth and cocaine — with a total estimated street value of $2,100. He also faces a charge of possessing the proceeds of crime, and eight breaches of his probation.

The June investigation by police ultimately resulted in 11 arrests and the seizure of approximately $10,000 in meth, heroin, cocaine and marijuana. Forty-five charges in total were laid for trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime and several weapons and court orders.

Among those arrested in June was Levi Aebig of Medicine Hat, who also had a court appearance Tuesday to set a preliminary hearing date for June 15, 2018.

Aebig originally faced four counts of trafficking heroin, four counts of trafficking methamphetamine, possessing the proceeds of crime and weapons charges — but updated charges were laid when seized substances were analyzed and came back as being carfentanil and fentanyl.

Not-guilty pleas were entered by Aebig on Oct. 26, opting for a trial by a Court of Queen’s Bench judge and jury.

Aebig remains in custody, having been denied bail.