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INUVIK - Cocaine trafficking charges against Talal Khatib, former owner of Fast Food Cafe, have been stayed, the Crown announced early last week.

Khatib said he was not surprised that drug charges against him have been stayed.

"I thought they were going to drop it long before this," he said.

The Crown said there wasn't enough evidence to bring Khatib to trial, who was arrested last July when police stormed Fast Food Cafe and confiscated crack cocaine and several stolen items, while a crowd of Inuvik residents cheered outside.

He was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime.

Khatib, who formerly owned and occasionally managed the restaurant, maintained he had no idea how the drugs got there and where they were stashed. He said someone else must have stashed the drugs.

The Syrian-born businessman said he's aware many believe he is guilty of the charges, but admits there's little he can do about it.

"Anything I say I'll end up hurting someone's feelings," he said. "It's not going to make much difference. But I don't think people have the right to play judge and jury."

The stay of charges means prosecution against Khatib could still be renewed within a year.

But Crown prosecutor Brent Lepage said because the case is not "public record," he couldn't discuss the details or whether he thought Khatib might ultimately face trial.

He said he was disappointed there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute.

"We're always disappointed when we undertake a case like that and can't fulfil a prosecution," Lepage said.

Mayor Derek Lindsay passed on the news to councillors at the regular council meeting on Feb. 11. Several councillors voiced their disgust at the decision, calling it an injustice.

"I can't believe there wasn't enough evidence," said Lindsay. "This is the kind of crap some defence lawyers use. They can bend the truth and make it sound totally different."

Staff Sgt. Bill Eubank of the Inuvik RCMP detachment wouldn't comment on the stay of charges. Although the detachment doesn't have any surveillance plans for the restaurant, Eubank said it wouldn't be ignored, either.

"If we get wind of the type of activity that's gone on in the past there then we will investigate it and deal with it," he said. "Every member here is aware of it and of course curiosity will be piqued if they see anything unusual."

Khatib said he wishes the RCMP would come around the restaurant more often to prevent frequent vandalism.