ESTEVAN — One of two people charged in connection with a drug bust in Estevan in early August has been released with conditions.
Trisha Deanne Coulter's matter was in Estevan Provincial Court on Aug. 11. She was supposed to have a show-cause hearing to determine if she would receive bail, but the session was deemed to be not needed, and she was granted a consent release order. Her matter will be back in court Sept. 15.
The co-accused in the matter, Geoffrey Wade Hirst, also appeared in court Aug. 11. He was remanded into custody and will be back in court Aug. 18 for a bail hearing.
Background: According to the Estevan Police Service, Hirst and Coulter were charged with drug-related offences Aug. 1.
The EPS said its Drug Intelligence Unit and Criminal Investigations Unit executed a search warrant, which was authorized under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, as part of a drug-trafficking investigation.
During the search, the EPS reports its members seized approximately $5,000 cash, along with cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding $5,000.
Hirst and Coulter have been charged with trafficking cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of methamphetamine, as per the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and possession of proceeds of crime not exceeding $5,000 under the Criminal Code.
Hirst was also charged with public mischief for providing false information to the EPS regarding an incident that took place July 31, which resulted in the Joint Tactical Support Team deploying to a hotel in the 1100-block of Third Street for a person reportedly in possession of a firearm.
The EPS says the tactical response and subsequent investigation have led police to believe the reported firearms offences were unfounded.
SaskToday will have updates as they become available.
