Pubdate: Sat, 23 Oct 2004 Source: Oakville Beaver (CN ON) Copyright: 2004, Oakville Beaver Contact: http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/ob/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1600 Author: Craig MacBride Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?216 (CN Police) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids) POLICE RAID OFF TARGET - RESIDENT While the drug bust in Oakville, Burlington, and Stoney Creek Thursday that resulted in nine arrests and the seizure of over $180,000 worth of drugs was characterized as a success by the Halton Regional Police, at least one man was saying otherwise. Oakville resident Charles Bateman, who was not charged, had his house raided by police at 7 a.m. and claims that an officer woke his 16-year-old son up while a masked officer pointed a shotgun at the young man. "This isn't how we live in Canada," said Bateman, who was preparing lunch for his son and 13-year-old daughter when he heard the police pull up. Standing shirtless with only his shorts on, Bateman reluctantly let the police into the house he rents from Christopher Orzec, who owned several houses that were targeted in the drug raid, and who was charged with several drug and weapon related infractions Thursday. Bateman said the police allowed him to wake his daughter before they entered her room. When Bateman read the search warrant, he was shocked, he said. The warrant, which Batemen presented to The Oakville Beaver, states that Bateman and Orzec unlawfully produced and possessed a controlled substance on Oct. 18 at Bateman's house. Based on that information, the police were given approval to search for marijuana, debt lists, drug packaging and scales. "They never saw me and Orzec together, and even if they did, it doesn't matter because I don't have any drugs," said Bateman, a general contractor who has done work for Orzec in the past. "I'm anti-drug." The search of Bateman's house, which happened around the same time as eight other searches, was the only one that didn't result in drug charges. Bateman said he plans to make a formal complaint on Monday. Sgt. Jeff Corey of the Halton Regional Police said, though police officers are not infallible, the process of getting a search warrant is very lengthy and strictly mandated, and the issuance of one is based on accurate and credible information presented by an officer. "The Halton Regional Police had judicial authorization from a justice of the peace to enter nine residences and all were conducted safely without injury to persons," said Corey, who would not comment further about Bateman's allegations. Oakville Supt. Keith Gregory said, "He's more than entitled to file a complaint, and we'll investigate that claim thoroughly." Gregory said that such complaints are investigated by the Professional Standards Bureau. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek