DRUG RAID SUSPECTS TAX COURTS

SYDNEY - The cells at the Sydney courthouse seemed to have revolving
doors Monday as more than 40 of those arrested in last week's drug
raids had to make their court appearances in shifts.

"Just trying to arrange for bail hearings since Friday has been
pretty tough on the court staff and duty counsel," said David
Iannetti, a federal Crown attorney. "It's a nightmare, as you can
imagine, for the sheriff's staff down below because they only have
space for so many bodies. So what they've done today is taken in 10
or so at a time and then we wait for the (next) transport."

Cape Breton Regional Police netted more than $80,000 worth of
marijuana, cocaine, OxyContin, hash oil and other drugs in a raid
last Friday that targeted eight residences and a New Waterford-area store.

Operation Nightrider landed about 45 people in jail over the weekend.

Those arrests tied up provincial court for most of Monday.

Provincial court Judge David Ryan took nearly three minutes to read
off all the names of those in custody.

Family and friends of the accused packed the court hallways and
filled the courtroom benches, creating an odd sense of camaraderie
as the day dragged on.

Mr. Iannetti said the prosecution planned to oppose the release of
about 40 of those who had been arrested. Some of the other prisoners
at the Cape Breton Correctional Facility had been moved last week to
make room for the new arrivals.