Pubdate: Sat, 28 Feb 2004
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2004, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Dawn Walton

DRUG TRIAL ABANDONED AFTER DELAY GETTING TO COURT

Two complex drug-related trials in Alberta have been abandoned because
they did not get to court fast enough, federal prosecutors announced
yesterday.

Prosecutors and police were slow to disclose evidence in the cases,
which date back to 1999 when 36 people were charged with drug
trafficking and organized-crime-related offences, preventing the
trials from happening within a "reasonable time," officials said.

Last fall an Edmonton judge threw out charges against 11 people,
saying the long delay violated their Charter rights.

The cases have cost taxpayers at least $22-million, including
construction of a high-security courtroom in Edmontonto handle the
trials.
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