QUARTER-MILLION DOLLAR POT CASE UP IN SMOKE

The bottom seems to have dropped out of the federal Crown's case
against four men charged with multiple drug and weapons offences last
year in relation to an alleged marijuana distribution house in Rosedale.

Federal justice officials did not return calls for an explanation by
press time Thursday. Lawyer Susan Gill, who handled the case in court
for the federal Crown, said she could not comment publicly on the case.

Gill and provincial Crown prosecutor Paul Blessin worked out an
amended information Tuesday morning in discussions outside the
courtroom with defence lawyers Emil Doricic and Ken Beatch, which
resulted in reduced charges against their clients.

Donald Walker, 30, pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property
over $5,000 and to possession of a shotgun without a licence. Zale
Rockel, 40, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana for trafficking purposes.

Both men will be sentenced Sept. 2

It is anticipated that drug charges against Sean Hepburn, 21, will be
stayed. Last week, drug charges against Clayton Eheler, 26, were also stayed.

Outside the courthouse, when asked what happened to the charges
against him, Eheler replied: "The cops were so eager to arrest me,
they forgot about my rights."

Defence lawyers Beatch and Doricic also declined to comment publicly
on the case.

Chilliwack RCMP seized 150-200 lbs. of marijuana on May 13 last year
after a search warrant was executed at a Rosedale house where the
"strong smell" of pot had been detected by an off-duty police officer
the previous day.

In a news release announcing the bust, police estimated the value of
the seized marijuana at a "conservative" $250,000.