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. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart