Pubdate: Sat, 12 Jan 2008
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Sarah Sacheli, Windsor Star
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

TARGETS OF POLICE RAID DROP CHARTER CHALLENGE

Three Windsor men who went to court this week arguing the lawfulness 
of the commando-style raid in which they were arrested dropped their 
challenge Friday and pleaded guilty to drug and weapons charges.

Tyson Jerome Huff, 23, Carlos Antoine Puckerin, 24, and Guneyt Mehmet 
Turker, 22, abandoned their charter challenge of what they had termed 
an "unreasonable search," ending a week of proceedings that had 
pre-empted their trial.

Turker pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for the purpose of 
trafficking in relation to 53.5 grams of crack cocaine and 3.4 grams 
of powdered cocaine found in the 2611 Meadowbrook Lane apartment.

GUILTY PLEA

He also pleaded guilty to weapons charges in relation to a sawed-off 
shotgun found in the apartment. On bail in relation to other charges 
at the time of the November 2005 raid, Turker also pleaded guilty to 
violating the conditions of his release.

Huff pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana found in the apartment 
and breaching the conditions of his bail.

Huff and Turker were in the apartment when police, wearing balaclavas 
and armed with submachine guns, broke down the front door to search 
the apartment for drugs. Officers tossed a stun grenade into the 
apartment, then later used Tasers to subdue and handcuff the men. 
Both men had court-ordered conditions not to associate with one another.

Puckerin arrived at the building after the raid. Friday he pleaded 
guilty to possession of the marijuana police found on him.

Of the three men arrested, only Puckerin was named in the drug search 
warrant that led to the police raid. His guilty plea is not related 
to any of the contraband found inside the apartment.

Lawyer Kirk Munroe, who represented Huff, said Turker offered to take 
responsibility for the cocaine and weapon found in the raid. "As far 
as my client is concerned, he was made an offer he couldn't refuse."

Superior Court Justice Joseph Quinn is to sentence the three men next 
week. All remain free on bail pending their sentencing.
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