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Man accused of smuggling cocaine into Canada elects trial by judge and jury

Jul 1, 2018 | 8:13 AM

LETHBRIDGE –  A 26-year-old Fort McMurray man has elected trial by judge and jury in relation to what border officials called a record drug bust earlier this year.

Bradley Michael Gaudrault also requested a preliminary hearing Friday morning, June 29, which will determine if there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial. A date for the prelim will be set July 16.

The charges against Gaudrault stem from a secondary inspection of an SUV at the Carway crossing on Mar. 17. Members of the Canada Border Services Agency reportedly found 31 bricks of suspected cocaine hidden in what authorities called a “sophisticated” compartment in the trunk of the vehicle. It was also noted that it was a record bust for the Carway port of entry.

Had the substance reached Alberta streets, CBSA officials say it would have produced an estimated 310,000 hits for users.

“What I can tell you is the fact that 31 kg of cocaine being brought into our country is definitely not being used for personal consumption,” said RCMP Insp. Allan Lai, during a media availability following the bust. “We definitely believe that there is some connection to an organized crime element here.”

Lai added that depending on several variables, the estimated street value could be between $1.4 million and $3.1 million.