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DECEMBER 7, 2015
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Vol. 64, Issue 232
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Court rejects Hopley’s bid for shorter sentence C ANADIAN PRESS
BARRY COULTER PHOTO
Nelson soprano Noémi Kiss — with guest trumpet soloist Tim Bullen playing behind her — is pictured with the Symphony of the Kootenays and a combined choir of MBSS and Selkirk students at the Symphony’s open rehearsal Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Key City Theatre. The Symphony’s seasonal concert, “A Winter’s Star,” was sold out, and featured great performances by local musicians. See more, Page 2.
RCMP arrest five; seize drugs, cash, weapons RCMP
RCMP executed three search warrants in Cranbrook simultaneously this morning (Dec 4) resulting in the arrest of five persons and seizure of drugs, cash and a firearms. An investigation by the Cranbrook/Kimberley Crime Reduction unit linked several persons and three locations together known to be trafficking in drugs. Three search warrants were obtained
under the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act. Over twelve officers from Cranbrook, Kimberley, Police Dog Service and Forensic Identification Services executed the warrants at the same time to avoid subjects alerting others of police action. Two warrants were for residences on Standard Hill Road, one was for a residence on 12th Street N in Cranbrook Once inside the residences
officers seized Cocaine, Fentanyl (disguised as Oxycotin), several thousand dollars, several firearms, one loaded and evidence to support trafficking charges. Five males have been arrested. One of the subjects was on parole and had been released from jail only a few weeks ago. He was in possession of a knife and bear spray at the time. One subject has been released for court in the
new year the others will be appearing before a Judicial Justice of the Peace by way of telephone conference later today. “This was an excellent team effort by a number of officers and units based in Cranbrook and Kimberley,” said Cpl. Chris Newel of the Kimberley RCMP. The investigation, planning and execution of the warrants was professional
with the five being taken into custody without incident,” “The arrest of these subjects will disrupt the drug trade and send a message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated,” said S/Sgt Hector Lee, Cranbrook RCMP Detachment Commander. “Although the arrests took place in Cranbrook we know drug networks such as these have connections to other East Kootenay communities,”
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The B.C. Court of Appeal has tossed out a bid for a shorter sentence by a man who abducted a three-year-old boy from his bedroom in September, 2011. A lower court judge determined Randall Hopley was a long-term offender and handed down a six-year-sentence after 26 months were deducted for time served awaiting trial. His lawyer appealed, claiming the judge should have given Hopley a day and a half for every day he was behind bars before trial instead of one day because the man was segregated. But the high court refused to take the extra 13 months off Hopley’s sentence, ruling a longer prison term was focused on public protection and the belief that Hopley would complete a sex-offender program. The panel of three judges ruled that sentencing in this situation takes more than an approach to arithmetic, especially in dealing with a high-risk offender. Kienan Hebert was returned physically unharmed to his home in Sparwood after four days and Hopley later pleaded guilty to child abduction, two counts of break and enter and possession of stolen property.