By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Man accused in Coutts drug smuggling case elects trial by judge alone

Apr 26, 2018 | 1:39 PM

LETHBRIDGE – A Calgary man accused of trying to smuggle cocaine into Canada at the Coutts border crossing, has elected trial by judge alone in the Court of Queen’s Bench.

A lawyer speaking on behalf of Kuldeep Singh entered the election Thursday morning, April 26, noting that they also want a preliminary inquiry, which will determine if there is enough evidence for the matter to proceed to trial.

The case was then adjourned to May 24, giving the Crown and defence time to hold a pre-trial conference and select dates for the prelim and trial.

The charges stem from a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) search of a commercial vehicle that was transporting produce from California to an Alberta business on Dec. 17, 2017. Officers reported finding 17 bricks of suspected cocaine with a total weight of 21 kilograms inside a closet area in the cab of the truck.

The driver and suspected drugs were then turned over to the RCMP, and Singh was charged under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

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Authorities noted that if the suspected cocaine had been street ready, it would have been enough for over 20,000 hits. They were not able to provide an estimated street value at the time.

Singh is currently free on bail, with conditions that he report weekly to police.

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