Pot accused to stand trial

An Upper Kennetcook man charged following one of three raids on Bible Hill marijuana dispensaries last September is scheduled for a one-day trial next Jan. 7.

Ricky Joseph John Leclerc, 48, of Highway 236 was charged with trafficking in marijuana and cannabis resin as well as with possessing marijuana and cannabis resin for the purpose of trafficking after his Community Compassion Centre dispensary was raided last Sept. 1.

Leclerc was charged again on March 8 with possessing cannabis for the purpose of trafficking after his shop was raided again on that date.

He is scheduled to enter a plea on the latter charge on April 18. As part of his release conditions from that incident,

Leclerc was ordered not to possess any illicit drugs or prescription drugs without a valid prescription and is banned from associating with anyone with a known criminal record and from possessing firearms or weapons.

He was further ordered not to own or participate in any way with the operation of a cannabis dispensary and is not allowed to be on or within two metres of any premises known as a cannabis dispensary or any premises that have bongs or water pipes for sale.

Two other individuals charged on the same day last September at other cannabis dispensaries are to be tried next February 25 and 26.

Nicole Markee Patruno, 31, of Lyman Street and Matthew Forshner, 32, of Shore Road, Clifton, have both pled not guilty to trafficking in marijuana and cannabis resin as well as with possessing marijuana and cannabis resin for the purpose of trafficking.

Ashley Calvin Brown, 43, of Lyman Street, who also faces the same charges, is to enter a plea on April 18.