A Calgary man accused of being an associate of Canadian drug lord, Ryan Wedding, appeared in court on Tuesday.
The accused, 35-year-old John Smith, was arrested on Monday and charged with multiple drug-related offenses, including possession and trafficking of illegal substances.
According to police, Smith is believed to have ties to Wedding, who is currently facing charges for drug trafficking and money laundering. Wedding was arrested in 2019 after a lengthy investigation by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).
During Smith’s court appearance, the Crown prosecutor requested that he be remanded in custody until his next court date on Friday. The defense lawyer argued for his release, stating that Smith has no prior criminal record and is not a flight risk.
The judge ultimately decided to keep Smith in custody until his next court appearance, citing concerns about the seriousness of the charges and the potential risk to public safety.
Smith’s arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into Wedding’s drug empire, which is believed to have been operating in Calgary and other parts of Alberta for several years.
ALERT has stated that Wedding’s organization was responsible for importing large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine into Canada from Mexico. The drugs were then distributed throughout the province, with a significant portion being sold in Calgary.
The investigation into Wedding’s operation has resulted in multiple arrests and seizures of drugs, cash, and firearms. ALERT has also worked closely with international law enforcement agencies to disrupt the drug supply chain.
Smith’s case is just one of many that have been linked to Wedding’s organization. ALERT has stated that they will continue to pursue all individuals involved in the drug trafficking network.
The court proceedings for Smith’s case will continue on Friday, and ALERT has assured the public that they will provide updates as the investigation progresses.
