Drug charges stayed against 2 men in major marijuana bust

Two men caught up in a major drug bust nearly four years ago have had all charges against them stayed.

A judge has ruled it's taken too long to bring their cases to trial.

Mihai Apostol and Kenneth Greer were among 28 men arrested in December2012 as part of Operation H-Tort. Police also seized more than 21 kilograms of marijuana and stacks of cash worth more than $100,000.

Apostol was among the higher-profile people involved in this case because of his career as an Olympic paddler.

• N.S. marijuana bust nets doctor, principal, 27 others
• Medical marijuana licence drug ring busted in 2012 using wiretaps

Too long, judge rules

Apostol and Greer were scheduled to go to trial this fall, beginning at the end of October.

But new case guidelines established this summer by the Supreme Court of Canada set an outer limit of 30 months for completing cases.

In a decision released Wednesday by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, Justice Josh Arnold counted up 46.5months to deal with this case, well outside the new limit. Most of the delay he attributed to the Crown and the issue of disclosing evidence.

"No matter how you slice it, this case comes up delay," the judge concluded in his decision.

• Top court cites need to change courtroom culture and create 'more efficient justice system'

Careers damaged

Arnold noted the charges hanging over Apostol's head hurt his paddling and work as a motivational speaker.

"While much of Apostol's complaints are those that would impact anyone charged with a criminal offence, the lengthy delay in this matter has prolonged and compounded all of the prejudice, especially his work-related restrictions," Arnold wrote.

Mental-health struggles

The judge noted the charges cost Greer his job as a restaurateur.

"He now struggles with depression and alcohol abuse," Arnold wrote.

"He has started a new business venture but has to deal with the ongoing stigma of the outstanding charges."

At the end of August, a different judge stayed chargesfor two other men caught in the same drug bust after finding their trials also had been unreasonably delayed.

• Canadian banks likely to be leery of legal marijuana sellers 'until the dust has settled'