Several matters connected to a drug bust by RCMP on Moosomin First Nation last October were heard in provincial court Monday.
The matters involved individuals charged with possession and trafficking marijuana over the period of a year at a home at Moosomin, located north of North Battleford. A search warrant on the home was executed Oct. 23, 2009 following almost a year of investigation and surveillance activity by the RCMP.
The man alleged by police to be the ringleader of the operation, Wilfrid Starr, saw his trial begin in provincial court Monday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of proceeds obtained by crime.
The trial began in the afternoon before Judge Dan O'Hanlon, with Starr and his family in attendance. Prosecutor Michel Thibault said he expected to call six witnesses for the Crown. Included as witnesses were several members of the RCMP involved in the investigation.
As well, the matters of several other co-accuseds were resolved Monday, with sentences handed down to two individuals involved in the case while charges for two others were withdrawn.
Deltyon Frenchman, who is currently serving time on another matter, entered guilty pleas to possession of marijuana as well as breach and obstruction charges. Two other counts against him were withdrawn. Frenchman appeared before Judge Violet Meekma Monday.
Meekma sentenced Frenchman to eight months time-served on the three charges, concurrent. A ten-year firearms ban was also ordered.
His mother, Marjorie Starr, was also in court. She was sentenced to a three-month conditional sentence after entering a guilty plea to possession. The other count against her, possession of property obtained by crime, was withdrawn.
All charges against two other individuals charged in the case, Cody Mooswa and Colin Starr, were also withdrawn by the Crown Monday.
According to the facts outlined by the Crown, surveillance took place over the period of several months. Several grams of marijuana were eventually seized at the residence. These included loose and individually wrapped marijuana.
Frenchman and Cordell Charles, who is serving a nine-month conditional sentence for his role in the case, were alleged in court to have sold the marijuana on behalf of Wilfred Starr, who was living with Marjorie Starr at the time.
Crown prosecutor Thibault alleged Marjorie was not actively involved, but knew the drugs were being sold there. Her sentence was in line with a joint recommendation from counsel.
Frenchman's sentence was also in line with a joint submission from counsel, with his lawyer Kevin Hill noting to the judge his client had expressed a willingness to straighten out his life.
