Judge denies bail for accused drug dealer, cites risk to public

A Brandon man who was allegedly caught with a “large quantity” of cocaine months after serving a sentence for possessing methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking has been denied bail.

Christopher Janzen, 37, made an unsuccessful bid for bail in Brandon provincial court last week. He faces two counts each of possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, failing to comply with his release order and possessing a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public’s peace.

He also faces one count of possessing property obtained by crime.

The Crown opposed Janzen’s release, citing concerns for the safety of the public and highlighting the impact illicit drugs have on the community.

Janzen’s lawyer presented a bail plan, which included an ankle monitor and permission for police to check his residence and vehicle up to two times per month, that he said would address the Crown’s concerns.

Articling student with the federal Crown Madison Schumacher detailed the allegations, which haven’t been proven in court.

Shortly after Janzen finished serving a 30-month sentence for possessing methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, police received information in March 2025 that Janzen and a woman were selling methamphetamine and cocaine in Brandon.

Police conducted surveillance at the Brandon residence where Janzen was living and observed 16 separate times where people came to the residence and stayed for a short time before leaving, court heard.

“Police believe these were drug transactions, as the quick nature of the visits is consistent with what police typically see in drug trafficking,” Schumacher said.

The Brandon Police Service searched the residence and a vehicle officers had seen while conducting surveillance.

Court heard police found a total of 191.78 grams of cocaine, which Schumacher said has an estimated street value of $13,000 to $14,000 once it’s broken down and sold.

“Some of this was found in one-ounce baggies, in a paint can and the rest was found in a blue Ziploc bag,” the prosecutor said.

Police also found a digital scale, a BB pistol, a vacuum-sealed bag with cocaine residue and a Ziploc bag along with a box of packaging material in the vehicle, score sheets and cash, court heard.

The Crown consented to Janzen’s release on May 15, 2025.

On Dec. 1, 2025, police stopped a vehicle after a search of the licence plate showed its registration had expired.

While speaking with the driver, who identified himself as Christopher Janzen, officers saw a bottle of alcohol in the vehicle, which had been opened.

Officers searched his name and found he was on a release order with a condition that he not possess alcohol, and he was arrested.

While searching the vehicle, police found 21.95 grams of methamphetamine, several baggies and cellphones, along with two large knives.

“There is a consistent pattern of reoffending that we’ve already seen. There is also a risk to the public … Drugs are very dangerous, not only to individuals using them, but to the community as a whole,” Schumacher said.

She said police also did a phone analysis, which revealed messages indicating he had knowledge of drugs.

Schumacher said that while the proposed bail plan included an ankle monitor, “when it comes to drug trafficking, it doesn’t aid in stopping that practice, as people can come to the home where he resides and purchase drugs.”

Defence lawyer Tony Kavanagh said the drugs Janzen was found with in December 2025 were not meant to be sold and were instead for personal use. He said his client was a regular meth user and “fell off the wagon.”

He also said the weapons found were work tools, as Janzen was working as a handyman.

Janzen has tried to turn his life around, and the bail included a condition that he seek out an addiction assessment within two weeks of his release and attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Other conditions included a $2,500 promise to pay, $2,500 surety, a $500 cash deposit, that he abide by a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and agree to police searching his residence and vehicle for drugs up to two times per month.

“Unfortunately, he fell off his way,” Kavanagh said. “He knows that he has to deal with this issue, and he plans to abide by these mandatory conditions.”

Judge Shauna Hewitt-Michta said that while Janzen is “cloaked in the presumption of innocence,” the allegations are concerning.

“The risk to public safety is obvious,” she said. “The quantities and nature of the drugs that we’re talking about here are capable of doing serious damage to a lot of different people.”

She said a $500 cash deposit and $2,500 surety may seem like a lot of money at first blush, but are “kind of a drop in the bucket when I compare to the kind of money that he seems to have been bringing in.”

Hewitt-Michta said the bail plan was thoughtful but didn’t rise to the level of addressing the safety of people in the community, and she believed, based on the allegations, that if released, he would “go right back into the drug trade.”

Janzen’s matter will appear again in court later this month.

» sanderson@brandonsun.com