Pubdate: Tue, 12 May 2009
Source: Chronicle Herald (CN NS)
Copyright: 2009 The Halifax Herald Limited
Contact:  http://thechronicleherald.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180
Author: Laura Fraser

DRUG RAID SUSPECTS TAX COURTS

SYDNEY - The cells at the Sydney courthouse seemed to  have revolving 
doors Monday as more than 40 of those  arrested in last week's drug 
raids had to make their  court appearances in shifts.

"Just trying to arrange for bail hearings since Friday  has been 
pretty tough on the court staff and duty  counsel," said David 
Iannetti, a federal Crown  attorney. "It's a nightmare, as you can 
imagine, for  the sheriff's staff down below because they only have 
space for so many bodies. So what they've done today is  taken in 10 
or so at a time and then we wait for the  (next) transport."

Cape Breton Regional Police netted more than $80,000  worth of 
marijuana, cocaine, OxyContin, hash oil and  other drugs in a raid 
last Friday that targeted eight  residences and a New Waterford-area store.

Operation Nightrider landed about 45 people in jail  over the weekend.

Those arrests tied up provincial court for most of Monday.

Provincial court Judge David Ryan took nearly three  minutes to read 
off all the names of those in custody.

Family and friends of the accused packed the court  hallways and 
filled the courtroom benches, creating an  odd sense of camaraderie 
as the day dragged on.

Mr. Iannetti said the prosecution planned to oppose the  release of 
about 40 of those who had been arrested.  Some of the other prisoners 
at the Cape Breton  Correctional Facility had been moved last week to 
make  room for the new arrivals.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart