Pubdate: Fri, 11 Jun 2010
Source: Chilliwack Progress (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 The Chilliwack Progress
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/Ta1hOac0
Website: http://www.theprogress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/562
Author: Robert Freeman

QUARTER-MILLION DOLLAR POT CASE UP IN SMOKE

The bottom seems to have dropped out of the federal Crown's case 
against four men charged with multiple drug and weapons offences last 
year in relation to an alleged marijuana distribution house in Rosedale.

Federal justice officials did not return calls for an explanation by 
press time Thursday. Lawyer Susan Gill, who handled the case in court 
for the federal Crown, said she could not comment publicly on the case.

Gill and provincial Crown prosecutor Paul Blessin worked out an 
amended information Tuesday morning in discussions outside the 
courtroom with defence lawyers Emil Doricic and Ken Beatch, which 
resulted in reduced charges against their clients.

Donald Walker, 30, pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property 
over $5,000 and to possession of a shotgun without a licence. Zale 
Rockel, 40, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana for trafficking purposes.

Both men will be sentenced Sept. 2

It is anticipated that drug charges against Sean Hepburn, 21, will be 
stayed. Last week, drug charges against Clayton Eheler, 26, were also stayed.

Outside the courthouse, when asked what happened to the charges 
against him, Eheler replied: "The cops were so eager to arrest me, 
they forgot about my rights."

Defence lawyers Beatch and Doricic also declined to comment publicly 
on the case.

Chilliwack RCMP seized 150-200 lbs. of marijuana on May 13 last year 
after a search warrant was executed at a Rosedale house where the 
"strong smell" of pot had been detected by an off-duty police officer 
the previous day.

In a news release announcing the bust, police estimated the value of 
the seized marijuana at a "conservative" $250,000.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart