Yellowknife (Jul 07/06) - Court dates for three people charged in the Project Gunship drug raid in Yellowknife last October were pushed to July 18.

Larry Mak, Philip Edward Mullins and Leonard Haynes were supposed to appear in territorial court on Tuesday afternoon.

However, due to a lack of communication with the Edmonton RCMP, at least one of the men involved may not have received a court summons.

None were present in court, although an agent for one of the men's lawyers was present. The men were asked to appear to verify they had legal council and the court dates set for preliminary hearings.

Territorial Judge Bernadette Schmaltz said she was hesitant to issue a warrant if a court summons could not be verified, also commenting on the lateness of the original summons sent only last week.

The Project Gunship drug bust resulted in the arrests of 10 people with charges ranging from possession and conspiracy to trafficking cocaine and cannabis and varied weapons charges.

Mak is charged with improperly storing a firearm, one charge of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking and conspiracy to traffic cocaine, and several weapons charges including possession of a restricted firearm with readily available ammunition.

Mullins is charged with trafficking cocaine and marijuana, possession and conspiracy to traffic cocaine, and three counts of uttering threats.

Haynes is charged with one count of trafficking cocaine, possession and conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

Preliminary hearings for the men were set to take place in August.

This could change depending on the events of July 18 when all three men are to return to court said Schmaltz.

- with files from

Dorothy Westerman