Pubdate: Wed, 28 Jun 2006
Source: Peterborough This Week (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 Peterborough This Week
Contact:  http://www.peterboroughthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1794
Author: Lance Anderson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

TOWNSHIP MUM ON FIRE CHIEF'S DRUG-RELATED CHARGES

Asphodel-Norwood Township officials are refusing  comment regarding 
drug charges laid against the  township fire chief.

Paul Bitten was charged June 21 following a police raid  of his Helen 
Street home by members of the Kawartha  Combined Forces Dru Unit.

A small amount of cocaine and marijuana, valued at an  estimated 
$100, was seized along with throwing knives  and a quantity of 
shotgun shells that police say were  stored improperly.

In addition, police also discovered two marijuana grow  rooms in the 
house from which plants had been removed.

Chief Bitten didn't return calls from This Week.  Neither did 
Asphodel-Norwood CAO Shelley Eliopoulos.  However, Township Reeve 
Doug Pearcy did answer his  phone but refused comment on the matter. 
Asked whether  the charges will affect Chief Bitten's job as 
fire  chief, he reiterated his position.

"I said no comment from the Township," said Reeve  Pearcy sharply.

Detective Constable Jamie Brockley, a member of the  drug unit, said 
police executed a search warrant at the  Helen Street home as a 
result of a drug investigation  in the village.

"We were doing some work and surveillance," he added.

Det. Const. Brockley said a man and women who were in  the home at 
the time of the raid were arrested, adding  joint possession charges 
are common. He said it's  similar to drugs being found in a vehicle 
where everyone gets charged, leaving it to the courts to  decide if 
the accused were actually in possession.

Local media reported that Peterborough County OPP said  Chief Bitten 
is not responsible for the drugs found in  his home. On Tuesday, OPP 
Staff Sergeant Gary Collins  was adamant such a claim was never made.

"I said without the [marijuana] plants, we don't have  much," said 
Staff Sgt. Collins.

"Police did not say the drugs weren't his."

Det. Const. Brockley says the drugs found in the home  were "in plain view."

"We've pretty much done our investigation. It's up to  the courts to 
decide if all can be charged with  possession."

In total, four people were arrested in relation to the  incident, 
including two young offenders and a woman for  whom 
Peterborough-Lakefield police held an outstanding  arrest warrant for.

Mr. Bitten, 45, of Helen Street, is charged with  possession of 
cocaine and possession of marijuana. He  appears in court Aug. 3.

Pamela White, 35, of Helen Street, is charged with  possession of 
cocaine, possession of marijuana and  breach of probation. She was 
held in custody for a bail  hearing.

The two young offenders are charged with possession of  cocaine, 
possession of marijuana and fail to comply  with an undertaking. They 
appear in court Aug. 14.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman