News (Media Awareness Project) - CN AB: Massive Drug Prosecution A Bust |
| Title: | CN AB: Massive Drug Prosecution A Bust |
| Published On: | 2004-02-28 |
| Source: | Calgary Sun, The (CN AB) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-18 20:02:55 |
MASSIVE DRUG PROSECUTION A BUST
Feds give up on high-profile 'Mega Trial' after racking up $35-million
pricetag
EDMONTON -- Federal Prosecutors yesterday pulled the plug on high-profile
cases against accused organized criminals in Edmonton that had racked up a
$35-million pricetag. Prosecutors announced they are not appealing a judge's
decision to stay charges against 11 alleged members of the Trang Gang and
themselves are staying charges against eight others.
"What's sad is that $35 million has been spent with such limited results,"
said University of Alberta law professor Sanjeev Anand.
But Police officers yesterday vowed to continue the battle against organized
crime despite the collapse of Alberta's biggest drug prosecution.
"We will continue to go after those involved in organized crime and will do
what it takes to dismantle organized crime organizations," vowed
Ottawa-based RCMP Chief Superintendent Raf Souccar, director of the force's
drugs and organized crime directorate.
"You don't crack organized crime by plucking the little leaves from the
tree."
Out of 57 people arrested in the drug gang case, 24 convictions were
secured, with the biggest single bill -- $23.7 million -- being the cost of
defence.
It was the "mega trial" model, not flaws in gang laws, that doomed a
prosecution of 19 people, a University of Alberta law professor believes.
"In my view there is nothing wrong with the (federal anti-gang)
legislation," said Anand.
"But I don't think they thought it through" when the decision was made to
try the accused together, then severed it into two separate but still large
groups.
The Crown's motives for going with a mega trial remain a mystery, Anand
said, but, "The cynic in me says 'Wow, what a great way to get publicity, to
have the public perceive that we are doing something about organized
crime.'"
Edmonton Police Service Deputy Chief Mike Bradshaw said the investigation
has yielded some positive results.
"A vast amount of intelligence was gathered on organized crime both in the
province and in the region," he said.
Feds give up on high-profile 'Mega Trial' after racking up $35-million
pricetag
EDMONTON -- Federal Prosecutors yesterday pulled the plug on high-profile
cases against accused organized criminals in Edmonton that had racked up a
$35-million pricetag. Prosecutors announced they are not appealing a judge's
decision to stay charges against 11 alleged members of the Trang Gang and
themselves are staying charges against eight others.
"What's sad is that $35 million has been spent with such limited results,"
said University of Alberta law professor Sanjeev Anand.
But Police officers yesterday vowed to continue the battle against organized
crime despite the collapse of Alberta's biggest drug prosecution.
"We will continue to go after those involved in organized crime and will do
what it takes to dismantle organized crime organizations," vowed
Ottawa-based RCMP Chief Superintendent Raf Souccar, director of the force's
drugs and organized crime directorate.
"You don't crack organized crime by plucking the little leaves from the
tree."
Out of 57 people arrested in the drug gang case, 24 convictions were
secured, with the biggest single bill -- $23.7 million -- being the cost of
defence.
It was the "mega trial" model, not flaws in gang laws, that doomed a
prosecution of 19 people, a University of Alberta law professor believes.
"In my view there is nothing wrong with the (federal anti-gang)
legislation," said Anand.
"But I don't think they thought it through" when the decision was made to
try the accused together, then severed it into two separate but still large
groups.
The Crown's motives for going with a mega trial remain a mystery, Anand
said, but, "The cynic in me says 'Wow, what a great way to get publicity, to
have the public perceive that we are doing something about organized
crime.'"
Edmonton Police Service Deputy Chief Mike Bradshaw said the investigation
has yielded some positive results.
"A vast amount of intelligence was gathered on organized crime both in the
province and in the region," he said.
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