Pubdate: Sat, 25 Feb 2006
Source: Chronicle Herald (CN NS)
Copyright: 2006 The Halifax Herald Limited
Contact:  http://thechronicleherald.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180
Author: Chris Lambie and Bill Power, Staff Reporters
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

FORMER SAILOR GUILTY IN POT CASE

Military Judge Acquits Ex-Able Seaman of More Serious Drug Charges

A military judge has convicted a former Halifax sailor of offering an
undercover police officer a toke of what was purported to be a
marijuana joint.

Clinton Hoddinott, an able seaman on HMCS Fredericton for about three
years, was found not guilty Friday of more serious drug charges,
including possessing and trafficking cocaine.

"The court is not convinced (the accused) provided anything but
incidental assistance," said Lt.-Col. Mario Dutil, who judged the case.

The judge said the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable
doubt that Mr. Hoddinott "aided or abetted" in procuring drugs for an
undercover investigator.

He made an introduction but the investigator "took the initiative," he
noted.

Maj. Andrew Appolloni, Mr. Hoddinott's lawyer, called it a conviction
for "social trafficking" of a controlled substance, in this case the
invitation to partake in a toke of what was "put out to be" marijuana.

Lt.-Col. Dutil reserved decision on sentencing as the proceedings
continued into the evening at a military courtroom in Halifax.

Mr. Hoddinott was one of two sailors charged last year after military
police conducted a three-week undercover operation in Halifax.

The 25-year-old was targeted in what police dubbed Operation Anchor
after a "confidential informant" told investigators Mr. Hoddinott was
selling cocaine and ecstasy, said Maj. Jason Samson, a military prosecutor.

On Nov. 27, 2004, Master Cpl. Chris McComb, an undercover military
cop, went to Mr. Hoddinott's apartment at Brunswick Towers.

He said he asked Mr. Hoddinott to "hook me up" with ecstasy or
cocaine. He testified Mr. Hoddinott told him he didn't have any coke
"but you can get some from 'Joe.' "

While he was waiting for Joe to arrive, Mr. Hoddinott handed Master
Cpl. McComb a lit joint. Trial evidence indicates Mr. Hoddinott asked
the investigator if he wanted "some pot" as he handed him the joint.

Joe, the drug dealer, arrived at the apartment and Master Cpl. McComb
bought a half gram of cocaine from him, the prosecutor said.

Maj. Samson argued helping the investigator buy cocaine constituted
trafficking on Mr. Hoddinott's part.

"It's clear that without his assistance, this transaction would not
have taken place," Maj. Samson said.

But Maj. Appolloni said there was no evidence that Mr. Hoddinott knew
Joe would be carrying cocaine when he arrived at the apartment.

The navy released Mr. Hoddinott last August, judging him unsuitable
for further service.

The other former sailor arrested during the same undercover operation
was sentenced in December to a year in an Edmonton military prison.
Stephan David Ennis, an ordinary seaman at the time, sold a total of
10 grams of cocaine and four tabs of ecstasy to another sailor and an
undercover military police officer on Nov. 18 and 22, 2004, at Captain
Eli's Restaurant & Lounge on Young Street in Halifax.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake