Translation causing delays in drug case

The Western Star

CORNER BROOK — Technical issues in prosecuting the drug bust dubbed Operation Bandstand are proving a challenge for the provincial court.

A total of 13 people were arrested in the interprovincial drug sting last September. They include seven people from western Newfoundland and six from Quebec.

The bust resulted in the seizure of 115 pounds of processed marijuana, about 3,000 mature marijuana plants and a large amount of processing equipment.

A total of five lawyers have representation in the case, including one lawyer who is representing three other lawyers based in Quebec. Some of those Quebec lawyers want the disclosure of evidence against their clients, much of which is based on wire tap evidence, translated into French.

The case was called before Judge Kymil Howe in provincial court Wednesday. The judge informed the counsel present that the court would like to begin making progress in the case.

Crown attorney David Mills said it could be two months before the translation is complete.

Although not all lawyers have yet to file the necessary paperwork to do so, the judge agreed to set dates for preliminary inquiries into the matters. The matters have been consolidated into two separate preliminary inquiries with a one-week inquiry for 10 of the accused set for Oct. 20 and a two-week inquiry for three others set for Dec. 8.

In the meantime, the lawyers involved will appear before Judge Howe again June 25 for an update on the progress of the matters.