A trial for an Alberta man charged with drug trafficking offences by the Battlefords RCMP didn’t proceed today after he changed how he wants to be tried.
A one-day trial for Lowen Diehl, 36, was scheduled in North Battleford Provincial Court July 6 but his lawyer told the court that he now wants to be tried in Court of Queen’s Bench.
In December 2020 Diehl was arrested during a traffic stop after a citizen reported an erratic driver to police. The SUV was stopped west of Battleford on Highway 16 and police seized 17 kg of drugs and a large amount of Canadian currency from Diehl’s vehicle.
Police say the methamphetamine could be broken down into about 150,000 individual doses and the cocaine could be broken down to about 1,000 individual doses.
In January, Diehl was released on $10,000 cash bail and a $10,000 surety. His bail conditions stipulate that he remain at his home in Alberta on 24-hour house arrest.
The Crown is proceeding by indictment against Diehl, which may mean a longer prison sentence if convicted.
A trial date in Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench hasn’t been set.
