COCAINE SEIZURE STUNNING, COURT TOLD

UNDERCOVER Winnipeg police officers staked out a home and storage
facility, waiting to pounce on the city's largest-ever cocaine
seizure, a Queen's Bench trial heard yesterday.

James Jenner, 42, has pleaded not guilty to possession of 17 kilograms
of the highly addictive drug for the purpose of trafficking.

The April 2002 seizure was made by five members of the so-called Rogue
Crew, a specialized police drug squad set up three years ago to go
after high-level players in the city's drug trade.

Police say the drugs had an estimated street value of $2
million.

The cocaine -- which was divided into 17 single-kilogram bricks -- was
on display in court yesterday for the start of Jenner's week-long trial.

A plainclothes police officer was guarding the seizure. Crown attorney
Paul Jensen asked Justice Theodore Glowacki if the drugs could be
removed from court for the remainder of the trial "for security
reasons." Glowacki agreed.

Police had found the drugs locked away in a northwest Winnipeg storage
facility on April 19, 2002, just moments after Jenner was seen leaving
the building, Jensen told court in his opening statement.

Members of the Rogue Crew had started following Jenner when he left
his Niakwa Park home in a white SUV earlier the same day. Police were
investigating his suspected involvement in a large-scale drug operation.

Jenner made several stops, including an apartment block on River
Avenue, Jensen said.

"He went inside, and came out a short time later carrying a grey
duffel bag," he said.

Police suspected Jenner had made a significant drug pickup and
continued to follow him as he headed for the storage facility. Once
Jenner had left, investigators obtained a search warrant and were
stunned by the size of the drug haul.

Eight bricks of cocaine were stuffed inside the grey bag, including
one that still had its Colombian cartel factory seal on it.

Two other bags were already in the locker containing five and four
bricks each.

More details of the police surveillance are expected when the trial
continues today.

The Crown conceded yesterday its case against Jenner is largely
circumstantial.

Police believe the drugs had been shipped to Winnipeg from British
Columbia.