Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 12/01) - Two B.C. men charged with possession with the purpose of trafficking almost a half a million dollars worth of pot will stand trial in Yellowknife.

Last April a highway patrol officer stopped a van bound for Yellowknife about 40 kilometres north of Fort Providence. Police arrived on the scene and found 45 kilograms of marijuana crammed into about 100 vacuum-sealed bags inside garbage bags and a hockey duffel bag.

RCMP also seized $11,500 cash in U.S. and Canadian bills.

The men, aged 46 and 28, originally from Sooke, B.C., were in court last week for a preliminary inquiry to determine if there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial.

"I don't have any (problem) with the accused standing trial," Judge Michel Bourassa said. "Given that we are dealing with 84 pounds stashed in large hockey bags."

Both men are currently residing in the South, one in Victoria and the other in Calgary, where they are required to check in with police and abide by set conditions.

They have both elected to be tried by a judge and jury. No date has yet been set for the trial.