Pubdate: Thu, 19 Sep 2002
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2002 The Calgary Sun
Contact:  http://www.fyicalgary.com/calsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Kevin Martin,, Calgary Sun
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

HEROIN TRIAL GOES BUST

Heroin-trafficking charges against a city man were dropped yesterday, a day 
after the Crown's star witness revealed he was paid $275,000 to be an RCMP 
mole.

Crown prosecutor Bob Sigurdson stayed charges against Minh Tri Truong, 
citing problems with disclosure to the defence.

Sigurdson would not elaborate on what the disclosure problem was.

He declined to comment on a suggestion from Justice Bonnie Rawlins the 
Crown's difficulty related to revealing information which could jeopardize 
other ongoing cases.

"I can't tell you," Sigurdson said when the question was raised by Rawlins.

Truong, 47, had been charged in connection with a Nov. 15, 1999, heroin 
purchase by police agent Cau Tien and an undercover cop.

Tien and Const. Terry Richardson bought two ounces of the drug for $7,000 
at a meeting at Smuggler's Inn attended by Truong and others.

Tien testified Tuesday the buy was part of an operation in which he was 
paid $275,000 to help RCMP nab drug dealers in Calgary and Edmonton.

Tien, who has a prior conviction for cocaine trafficking, also had new 
charges against him dropped for aiding the police.

In evidence yesterday, Const. John Tereposky of the RCMP's 
witness-protection program, testified Tien's payments weren't contingent on 
getting convictions.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager