DRUGS FOUND IN TEACHER'S HOME: COPS

Court hears crack bust details

OSHAWA --An elementary school teacher was sitting on a bed concealing 14
rocks of crack cocaine when police raided his home, court heard yesterday.

Martin Hungerford, 50, was among six people found in the St. Lawrence Ave.
apartment by drug squad officers, who used a battering ram to enter the
unit in July 1997.

Const. Adam Kelly said the crack -- wrapped individually in clear plastic
- -- was "scattered" on the floor under a bed.

Const. Tim Pokulok testified Hungerford was sitting on the bed when he
entered the room.

Pokulok said Darren Anderson, who was known to drug squad officers, was
also in the room. He recently pleaded guilty to drug charges and sentenced
to nine months in jail.

Hungerford has pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of crack cocaine
for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime.

Hungerford was an employee of the Durham board for nine years and had
taught at Robert Thornton P.S. and E.A. Fairman school. Board officials
said he had been on leave since March 1997.

Judge Norman Edmondson heard police put surveillance on the building a day
before the bust and they saw Anderson have contact with a high-level
cocaine dealer.

Under cross-examination, they said Hungerford was not seen.

Prosecutor Paul Greenway asked Kelly if he viewed Hungerford as a "target
in the investigation." Kelly said, "Yes."

Const. Kevin Calhoun said he searched a bedroom and found four crack pipes,
a piece of crack under a dresser and a fanny pack containing a wallet,
Hungerford's driver's licence and a bag with $295.

Pokulok said Hungerford was in a second bedroom, where police found 14
crack pieces and a partial piece in aluminum foil. Kelly said a chest in
the closet contained documents with Hungerford's name on them.

During the raid, Kelly said a man known to police arrived at the home
carrying a wad of cash and a list of debts to be collected. He was sent on
his way.

Police also seized $550 from a woman in the apartment.