Pubdate: Fri, 27 Jul 2012
Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/5NyOACet
Website: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531
Author: Don Plant

REPORTER INVESTIGATED OVER DRUG INVESTIGATION

A Kelowna reporter is in hot water after buying marijuana to expose a 
drug dealer.

RCMP are investigating Kelly Hayes of Castanet for taking part in the 
on-camera transaction on Tuesday. His report shows him meeting a 
woman for the first time in her house and buying a few grams of pot.

Hayes handed over the contraband to RCMP and gave a statement soon 
after. Even so, police are consulting with prosecutors to decide 
whether a criminal charge is warranted.

"Obviously, RCMP does not condone his action. Not only does it put 
his personal safety at great risk, but it could also (affect) other 
people's safety," said spokesman Const. Kris Clark.

A woman living in the basement of the rented house on Elliot Avenue 
had complained several times about noise and vehicles showing up at 
all hours. Suspicious that the tenants upstairs were selling drugs, 
she set up a video camera and kept a log of the people coming and going.

She took the evidence to police, but an officer said she had to prove 
her neighbours were trafficking, according to Hayes' report. When she 
complained to her landlord - the City of Kelowna - a city official 
told her that staff inform police about drug houses and it's up to 
them to investigate.

The city responded to the woman's complaint, but mistakenly sent the 
letter to her neighbours upstairs. Police say Castanet exposed her 
identity. Castanet argues the suspects already knew who reported them.

"She was already outed," said news director Trevor Rockliffe. "She 
was brave enough to be on camera. She was making a stand and not 
willing to be bullied."

Hayes, wearing a wire and hidden camera, knocked on the neighbour's 
door. The woman didn't recognize him but sold him a small baggy of 
marijuana when he said "do I look like a cop?" She gave him her phone 
number to set up future purchases.

RCMP Insp. Paul Driscoll contacted Hayes to dissuade him from making 
the deal, but he'd already bought the weed, said Clark. Police later 
busted the house and seized 340 grams - nearly a pound - of marijuana.

Officers arrested a 47-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man for 
possession for the purpose of trafficking. The two are related. 
Police also nabbed a 55-year-old man for simple possession.

RCMP had been watching the house before Hayes bought the pot, said Clark.

"It was an open investigation already. It preceded (the purchase). 
We've received several complaints of possible drug trafficking at the 
residence," he said.

"The tenant is now publicly outed. As well, it may impact any ongoing 
investigation. And (Hayes) committed a criminal offence in doing so."

Rockliffe believes Castanet "forced their hand." He was standing 
nearby when Hayes entered the woman's house and listened in on their 
conversation. If it turned ugly, Hayes would have fled.

"We did go to the city and police beforehand. Nothing was being done. 
The woman had put out a plea," Rockliffe said. "We helped them along 
with the investigation as best we could. We passed on the evidence 
within hours of receiving the drugs."

The three suspects were released on promises to answer the charges in 
court. RCMP have not recommended a charge against Hayes but are 
consulting with the Crown, Clark said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom