Most cases in Tuesday's court appearances set to later dates
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 17/01) - Territorial Judge Brian Bruser began what will likely be a lengthy process by sentencing three of the many people charged under the RCMP's Operation Guiness on Tuesday.
People packed the courtroom's benches and lined the walls as the Crown, defense counsels and Judge Brian Bruser read through a 20-page court docket listing about 40 men and women charged in what has been billed as the NWT's biggest drug bust.
The three men pleading guilty in connection with the Nov. 15 mass drug bust are, in order of appearance:
Kurt Minault, 19, was fined $150 after pleading guilty to possessing nine grams (13 cigarettes) of marijuana.
Judge Bruser handed Joseph Murphy a $1,500 fine and a one-day jail term, after the 21-year-old man pleaded guilty to trafficking one ounce of marijuana. His sentence was automatically served by his attendance in court.
In handing down his judgement, Bruser gave Murphy the following vote of non-confidence.
"If you're tempted to get involved with trafficking again, you'll get caught. As you've shown this court, you're not a sophisticated trafficker," Bruser said.
Albert D. Poitras, 21, pleaded guilty to trafficking two one-ounce bags of marijuana. He received a 60-day jail sentence.
More than 30 other cases were put over to Jan. 30 and Feb. 13 in order for the defence lawyers to obtain disclosure.
Trial dates were set for some of the defendants and Bruser noted that the court will have a better idea of how the paperwork is proceeding by Jan. 30.
