OTTAWA: A high-profile drug trafficking case in which six men were accused of trying to smuggle cocaine into the Port of Halifax collapsed as the charges were stayed.
On Tuesday morning, a federal Crown prosecutor requested a stay of proceedings against the men charged as a result of Operation Hancock, a seven-month investigation the RCMP started after they received a tip about international drug trafficking in July 2014.
Their investigation led them to believe that six men — Paul Matthew Arthur, Warren Clark, John Dempsey, Justin Dempsey, Steven Jollimore and Peter Wood — were planning to import 200 kilograms of cocaine.
Kevin Burke, Arthur’s lawyer, said there were “major problems” with the Crown’s case.
“You had so many issues that just seemed to be popping up one after another,” Burke said outside the courtroom on Tuesday.
He said the defence made many disclosure requests that the Crown did not comply with.
“Consequently, they made a decision to close it down,” said Burke.
Arthur told reporters he was relieved by the decision and that the past year has been difficult for him and his family.
Crown prosecutor Mark Donohue said he could not comment on the case.
1 year to bring case back
When the charges were announced in January, RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency officials said they had “uncovered evidence pointing to the importation and trafficking of cocaine” from Panama to Halifax, which would be destined for Canadian cities.
The Mounties said they infiltrated the group and arranged a ruse with fake cocaine. Officers arrested the men at various locations around Halifax.
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