OFFICER BACK IN COURT ON DRUG CHARGES

A Peel Regional Police officer arrested in 2005 over allegations he
was attempting to traffic cocaine is in court this week for a
preliminary hearing.

Const. Sheldon Cook, 39, who works out of 12 Division (east
Mississauga), is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday as his
hearing continues. Proceedings, which began this past week, will
determine if the Crown has enough evidence to warrant a trial.

Evidence given during the preliminary hearing is under a publication ban.

Cook is charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of
trafficking, along with attempt to possess a controlled substance for
the purpose of trafficking.

The marijuana charge stems from a seizure of less than one pound of
the illegal drug on Nov. 18, 2005.

The other charge was laid after the RCMP tracked a shipment of what
was initially thought to be 15 kilograms of cocaine, to a home in Cambridge.

The substance allegedly found at the home was not cocaine, but a
flour-like substance meant to look like cocaine, court heard.

The bogus drugs were being used by the RCMP in a sting operation.

A 14-year police veteran when arrested, Cook remains suspended with
pay until his case is dealt with in court.

Meanwhile, Justice Canada has decided not to prosecute more than a
half-dozen drug cases in which Cook was the arresting officer, due to
the unlikelihood of convictions, said a government spokesperson.

One month after Cook was charged, a judge acquitted former Toronto
Argonaut Orlando Bowen of drug and assaulting police charges, which
were laid by Cook and another officer.