POLICE RAID OFF TARGET - RESIDENT

While the drug bust in Oakville, Burlington, and Stoney Creek Thursday
that resulted in nine arrests and the seizure of over $180,000 worth
of drugs was characterized as a success by the Halton Regional Police,
at least one man was saying otherwise.

Oakville resident Charles Bateman, who was not charged, had his house
raided by police at 7 a.m. and claims that an officer woke his
16-year-old son up while a masked officer pointed a shotgun at the
young man.

"This isn't how we live in Canada," said Bateman, who was preparing
lunch for his son and 13-year-old daughter when he heard the police
pull up.

Standing shirtless with only his shorts on, Bateman reluctantly let
the police into the house he rents from Christopher Orzec, who owned
several houses that were targeted in the drug raid, and who was
charged with several drug and weapon related infractions Thursday.

Bateman said the police allowed him to wake his daughter before they
entered her room.

When Bateman read the search warrant, he was shocked, he said. The
warrant, which Batemen presented to The Oakville Beaver, states that
Bateman and Orzec unlawfully produced and possessed a controlled
substance on Oct. 18 at Bateman's house. Based on that information,
the police were given approval to search for marijuana, debt lists,
drug packaging and scales.

"They never saw me and Orzec together, and even if they did, it
doesn't matter because I don't have any drugs," said Bateman, a
general contractor who has done work for Orzec in the past. "I'm anti-drug."

The search of Bateman's house, which happened around the same time as
eight other searches, was the only one that didn't result in drug charges.

Bateman said he plans to make a formal complaint on
Monday.

Sgt. Jeff Corey of the Halton Regional Police said, though police
officers are not infallible, the process of getting a search warrant
is very lengthy and strictly mandated, and the issuance of one is
based on accurate and credible information presented by an officer.

"The Halton Regional Police had judicial authorization from a justice
of the peace to enter nine residences and all were conducted safely
without injury to persons," said Corey, who would not comment further
about Bateman's allegations.

Oakville Supt. Keith Gregory said, "He's more than entitled to file a
complaint, and we'll investigate that claim thoroughly."

Gregory said that such complaints are investigated by the Professional
Standards Bureau.