ESTEVAN - A preliminary hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Aug. 25 and 26, 2025, for four people charged in a drug bust in Estevan more than four months ago.
Cody Blaine Klyne, Devon William Martell, Brennan Stephen McKeen and Jessica Louise Rutter-McKeen had their latest court appearances in Estevan Provincial Court on Monday.
Martell's attorney suggested setting the matter aside to Jan. 6, since he hasn't been able to reach Martell, but Judge Mitch Miller said he wanted to get dates reserved for the hearing because he said the case has been "dragging a bit".
The attorneys for Klyne, McKeen and Rutter-McKeen agreed that a preliminary hearing date could be established. The four co-accused will still have another court appearance on Jan. 6 to iron out details of the preliminary hearing, which will determine whether there is enough evidence to go to trial.
Klyne has opted for a trial in Court of King's Bench by judge and jury, which Miller said is the default position, but the other three have to elect the trial they want.
The four were arrested Aug. 9 after search warrants were executed at five locations in Estevan. They were charged with possession of a schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine); possession of a schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine); trafficking a schedule 1 substance (cocaine); trafficking a schedule 1 substance (methamphetamine); and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Klyne is also charged with violating the conditions of a release order, stemming from prior charges.
The Estevan Police Service said it seized one kilogram of cocaine, 50 grams of methamphetamine, two rifles, a Ford F150 that the EPS said is offence-related property, and approximately $8,000 in Canadian currency. The street value of the illicit drugs recovered, according to the EPS, was $150,000.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
