DRUGS NOT TOLERATED AT CHATHAM COURTHOUSE

People bringing drugs into the Chatham courthouse can expect to be
charged.

Sgt. Gary Conn of the Chatham-Kent Police Service said individuals
found in possession of drugs while entering the Grand Avenue building
is a "frequent" occurrence.

"If a person is going to be that blatant and attempt to conceal
contraband at a courthouse . . . they can expect they will be charged
appropriately," Conn said.

"What they will do is try and conceal it, usually in cigarette
packages or in some other form of a container."

Conn said officers stationed at the weapons screening area at the
front of the courthouse check visitors entering the building.

"The officers that might be working the front will ask people to empty
all their pockets," Conn said.

"If they happen to see cigarette packages, because of past
occurrences, we take a look inside. That's generally where we find
these contraband."

Conn said specific statistics on the number of occurrences were not
available.

While attending court on another matter Wednesday, a 19-year-old woman
from Merlin was allegedly found in possession of some marijuana
cigarettes while being checked at the front security screening area.

CKPS said she was charged with possession of a controlled substance
and released with a future court date.

A 19-year-old Sarnia man pleaded guilty on Nov. 21 for having a joint
in his possession on Aug. 1 while attending the courthouse.

Jason Montgomery, who represented himself, was handed a $200 fine as a
result.

Federal prosecutor Tim Mathany said the drugs were found on Montgomery
while he passed through the screening area.

"Unfortunately we seem to be running into a number of these cases here
in Chatham," Mathany told the court.

Before issuing Montgomery his sentence, Ontario Court Justice Stephen
Fuerth said "it was a very foolish thing for you to have been doing.

"This is not going to be tolerated in this courthouse," he said.