(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Sheldon Spackman

July 2018 Incident

Stay of proceedings in Paintearth County bust

Jun 6, 2023 | 3:29 PM

There has been a stay of proceedings for a man charged in a drug and weapons bust in Paintearth County nearly five years ago.

Bayden Cormick, now 50, was previously scheduled for trial in Red Deer Court of King’s Bench in March of this year following previously scheduled trial dates in March 2022, and the spring of 2021.

However, according to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service in Red Deer, it was determined on June 2, 2023, that based on all the information available, the matter did not meet the Decision to Prosecute requirements in Chapter 2.3 of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada Deskbook (publicly available here: 2.3 Decision to Prosecute – PPSC (ppsc-sppc.gc.ca)).

“To proceed with a prosecution, there must be both a reasonable prospect of conviction and a public interest in the prosecution,” read a statement from the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service.

Cormick, and another individual were arrested following an investigation that was launched at the end of April, 2018. It resulted in the execution of a search warrant on July 5, 2018 at a residence near Halkirk where several items were seized and charges sworn against two adults.

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RCMP Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) members were present for the search along with EMS, and Mounties from both Coronation and Consort.

Police say intelligence gathering led Stettler RCMP to collaborate with Red Deer ALERT to investigate incidents of drug trafficking. Two suspects were arrested without incident at a location away from the residence.

Cormick was charged with 15 counts in relation to the investigation while co-accused, Leigh Anne Green, now 43, had all nine counts against her withdrawn on May 31, 2019.

According to RCMP, Items seized included Canadian currency, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and five firearms; three of which were prohibited.

Related: New trial dates set for man charged in drug and weapons bust near Halkirk