Pubdate: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 Source: Similkameen Spotlight (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 Similkameen Spotlight Contact: http://www.similkameenspotlight.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3484 CHARGES DROPPED IN POT BUST BC Conservative Leader, Wilf Hanni, expressed dismay over the ruling by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Catherine Bruce yesterday that marijuana seized in a recent police raid could not be used as evidence in the case against the defendant. The police, armed with a search warrant, knocked on the front door. Receiving no answer, they went to the side entrance where they knocked it down and entered with guns drawn. Once inside, they found a sizable marijuana grow-op with 704 plants. The judge ruled that the police were obligated to knock and announce themselves repeatedly or until the criminal suspect inside responded. Because they did not announce themselves again before knocking down the door, she would not allow the seized marijuana to be used as evidence. The charges were dropped and the defendant was released. Hanni said he believes the judge erred in her decision. He says the police were justified in their actions because raids on drug houses are extremely dangerous and often lead to gun battles between police and criminals. "This is not a case of petty crime or a domestic dispute where the use of stealth and/or firearms is not required. The city of Vancouver is being overrun with drugs and organized crime. We see news reports of people being gunned down regularly now. The decision by Madam Justice Catherine Bruce is devoid of common sense. She is, in effect, asking our police to risk their lives in favour of a drug lord. Whatever we pay the police, it isn't enough to ask them to risk their lives for that,' Hanni commented. "It is about time we stop molly coddling criminals. Letting a drug lord who profits at the expense of our children off on a technicality does nothing to preserve due process, and everything to encourage more criminal behaviour. It's all backwards. We should be tying the hands of the drug dealers, not our police," concluded Hanni. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek