COP TRIAL SINKS DRUG CHARGES

Cocaine trafficking charges against a convicted pimp were dropped yesterday
because there are outstanding charges against the police officers involved
in his bust.

While an appeal court was throwing out the charges against Mark Morgan, 35,
in another court were seven of eight drug cops charged with stealing
informant money. Their case was put over until April 12.

More than 50 drug cases involving the accused officers have been dropped in
the past 15 months.

Former chief David Boothby launched an internal audit in 1999 after
complaints of violence, manipulation of evidence and theft of money.

Staff Sgt. John Schertzer, Det.-Const. Steve Correia and Consts. Jerry
Cieslik, Jim Leslie, Sean McGuinness, Joe Miched, Ray Pollard and Jonathan
Reid face a total of 75 criminal charges and 98 Police Services Act charges.

Crown Attorney Fergus O'Donnell told an appeal court that trafficking
charges against Morgan would be stayed because of "disclosure problems."
Morgan had originally been sentenced to six years in a 1997 trial.