Pubdate: Tue, 25 Nov 2008
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Bob Mitchell, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?216 (CN Police)

FAKE COCAINE FOUND IN OFFICER'S GARAGE

RCMP-Controlled Cargo Of Bogus Drugs From Peru Went Missing From
Airport 12 Hours Later, Court Told

An RCMP-controlled delivery of 88 boxes containing 146 bricks of fake
cocaine arrived at Pearson International Airport from Peru on Nov. 16,
2005.

Incredibly, despite being under surveillance, the shipment went
missing about 12 hours later, a Brampton court was told yesterday.

"We had no idea where it was," RCMP Staff Sgt. Kevin Nicholson
testified.

Some 15 bricks, including one with a tracking device, were later
located at the Cambridge residence of Peel police Const. Sheldon Cook.

Federal prosecutors David Rowcliffe and Ania Weiler contend Cook
intercepted the shipment after it left the Air Canada cargo warehouse
that night, unaware it was part of an RCMP sting, and hid the bricks
at his home.

He has pleaded not guilty to seven criminal charges related to the
discovery of the dummy cocaine in a storage compartment of a Sea-Doo
in his garage.

Cook, 40, is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance
for the purpose of trafficking, possession of marijuana for the
purpose of trafficking, possession of stolen property (MP3 players)
from a police investigation and breach of trust as a police officer in
connection with the other offences.

The offences were allegedly committed by the 14-year veteran officer
between Aug. 7, 2005, and Nov. 18, 2005.

The drugs that vanished were part of an RCMP investigation that had
initially involved 147 bricks of real cocaine being replaced with
white flour and five tracking devices and audio intercepts before
leaving Lima. The drugs were delivered to Canada hidden in the bottom
of 88 boxes containing mangoes.

Nicholson said the dummy cocaine was to be delivered under a
controlled shipment in order to arrest those at the Canadian end.

RCMP investigators didn't know the identities of the people who were
expecting the cocaine in Canada, court heard.

But by the time the fake drugs arrived at the Lima airport, Nicholson
noticed there were only 146 bricks - and that 11 had been tampered
with because they were filled with cement instead of white flour.

Nicholson explained the civilian agent who was working with Peruvian
authorities had stolen the drugs.

Nicholson became aware the drug cargo had disappeared when he received
a phone call from Air Canada security on Nov. 16 at about 7 p.m.

The next morning, Nicholson got word that a shipment of drugs had been
seized by Peel police, with 44 of the bricks missing.

Eventually, signals from the missing cargo were picked up, one leading
to a dumpster in Oakville and the other to Cook's home, Nicholson told
the court.

RCMP Sgt. John Roskom, who inserted the tracking devices in the dummy
drugs in Peru, said the signal led them to the Sea-Doo in Cook's garage.

Cook remains suspended with pay.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin