Man gets 9 years in federal prison for trafficking cocaine

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This article was published 01/02/2025 (228 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A man, 29, was sent to federal prison on Friday by a Brandon judge for leading a sophisticated drug trafficking ring that distributed large quantities of cocaine to the city’s residents.

Following a joint recommendation from the federal Crown attorney and defense lawyer before the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba, Justice Scott D. Abel decided that the accused — Logan Bickerton — should spend the next nine years in prison for his crimes.

The crimes came to light after a lengthy investigation conducted by Brandon Police Service’s (BPS’s) Organized Crime Section between September of 2021 and November of 2022.

As part of the investigation entitled, “Project Banish,” initiated specifically to curb the volume of harmful illicit drugs being distributed throughout the community, Bickerton was arrested and charged on Nov. 21, 2022 for possessing cocaine with the purpose of trafficking, trafficking cocaine, possessing proceeds of property obtained by crime, conspiracy to traffic a Schedule I substance and possessing proceeds of more than $5,000 obtained by crime.

Bickerton was also charged with two counts of possessing a firearm while knowing its possession is unauthorized, and one count of possessing a restricted firearm obtained by crime amidst one of the largest drug busts in Brandon’s history. Bickerton was ultimately found guilty of distributing multiple kilograms of cocaine and possessing firearms, and his sentence was delivered in Brandon’s Court of King’s Bench during a morning hearing in front of friends and family.

Members of BPS’ Crime Division, with the assistance of members from the Patrol Division and Support Services executed six residential search warrants in Brandon, one search warrant at a business in Brandon, one residential search warrant in Meadowbrook Village, and three vehicle search warrants while investigating Bickerton’s drug dealing operation. Altogether, more than nine kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $900,000 was seized, along with $450,000 in proceeds from illegal drug transactions. BPS officers also seized two stolen handguns, a .30-06 rifle, a ballistic vest and multiple other prohibited weapons, as well as a 2011 Lincoln MKS, a 2003 Harley Davison motorcycle, and a 2003 Victory motorcycle.

At least 10 individuals were also arrested and charged in relation to the drug trafficking ring, which Bickerton was at the helm of, including multiple members of his immediate family and group of friends. Moreover, the court identified four locations in Brandon that were being used by Bickerton’s drug trafficking ring during the commission of his crimes.

“The first one being at 410 on 6th Street Brandon, …. a detached garage at 112 Princess Avenue East, a detached garage at 1303 on 4th Street, 112 Industrial Drive, and 37 Aurora Crescent,” federal Crown attorney Serena Ehrmantraut said on Friday before highlighting the substantial amount of cocaine that Bickerton was selling throughout the Wheat City, and the harmful affects this drug can have on the lives of those who consume it.

“The sheer quantity of drugs that we’re dealing with here, there’s several kilos of cocaine being distributed among the community of Brandon, contributing to an already existing drug problem that the city faces, …. the nature and societal impacts of the drug involved, which is a Schedule I and highly addictive,” Ehrmantraut told Justice Abel.

She added that Bickerton’s actions further exacerbated continuing problems within the community, such as property crimes and the inherent violence associated with the drug sub-culture.

“This was a sophisticated network which he oversaw and directed and profited from. He used several members of his own family, among others, sub-dealers and his parents who held the proceeds so as to insulate himself. To some degree, the intentional risk taking involved with this and his very deep entrenchment in the lifestyle demonstrates the level, a high level of real culpability as the court’s well aware,” Ehrmantraut argued.

Meanwhile, criminal defence lawyer Eric Wach described steps that Bickerton has already taken to seek help since being arrested and charged back in 2022. Wach also cited Bickerton’s desire to become a positive role model to his four-year-old daughter in the future.

“He’s a loving father, and that’s really how he sees himself at this point, from now on in the future. That’s number one for him,” said Wach, who practices law out of Winnipeg.

“Logan attended counseling and said it was really helpful for him. It dealt with future plans for a future of law abiding family life, cognitive behavioral therapy to really change the way he thinks and change the way he acts, and change the way he looks at life so he never, ever gets involved in something like this again. He dealt with his drug addictions, and while on bail, he was able to overcome those addictions,” Wach told the court before Bickerton addressed Justice Abel with an apology for his crimes.

“I’m sorry to the community, and I won’t offer any excuses to what I’ve done here today. I’m here to accept responsibility. Since my arrest, I’ve had great deal of shame for what I’ve done,” Bickerton said while holding back tears just before the Justice announced a nine-year custodial prison sentence that will be served at the Stony Mountain Institution in Manitoba’s Rural Municipality of Rockwood. Justice Abel told Bickerton to use his time in prison to continue making positive changes, and to prepare for the rest of his life once released.

“With a sentence to be served, you’re gonna have some opportunity to reflect on what you’ve done and what you want to do with your life going forward, including the kind of father you want to be. I’m hoping and expecting upon your release that you’ll take the opportunity and try to make some positive impact on the community.”

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