Co-accused in major drug bust pleads guilty
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/09/2024 (366 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A man charged in one of Brandon Police Service’s largest drug busts pleaded guilty to trafficking and firearms charges in Court of King’s Bench Wednesday morning.
Logan Bickerton, 28, pleaded guilty to trafficking a controlled substance and possessing a restricted firearm. Crown attorney Matthew Sinclair read a brief set of facts for the charges.
In 2021, the Brandon police organized crime section began an investigation, dubbed Project Banish, into a drug trafficking network in the city. Police used various investigative techniques, including wiretaps and covert entries into “stash houses.”
Ultimately, investigators learned that there were multiple kilograms of cocaine at the stash houses. On one occasion, eight kilograms of cocaine was found.
“Mr. Bickerton was drug trafficking at all levels, quite frankly, including there were a couple of sales in kilogram, a couple of sales of nine ounces, smaller amount level deals, but in addition to that, street-level trafficking,” Sinclair said.
A .357-calibre Magnum revolver was also found at a stash spot and determined to have been stolen.
The prosecutor said the Crown and defence agreed to recommend a sentence for Bickerton of nine years less the time he has already served. The sentencing is scheduled to take place in the Court of King’s Bench on Jan. 31, 2025.
After entering his pleas, Bickerton was released on conditions with consent of the Crown.
Overall, Project Banish resulted in the seizure of more than nine kilograms of cocaine with a street value of more than $900,000, plus $450,000 in cash. Ten individuals were arrested in connection with the investigation.
Scott Bickerton, who was arrested and charged as part of both Project Banish and another major drug bust, Project Debris, was sentenced to six years behind bars last May after pleading guilty to two different cocaine-trafficking charges.
James Reid, who was also arrested as part of Project Banish and who the Crown called a “lieutenant” in the trafficking operation, was sentenced to four years behind bars last February after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit an indictable offence (cocaine trafficking).
» gmortfield@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @geena_mortfield