Veteran drug cop charged
by JONATHAN KINGSTONE AND GRETCHEN DRUMMIE
Toronto Sun
A veteran Toronto drug cop was charged yesterday with possessing hashish for the purpose of trafficking in a police investigation that led to six criminal court cases being stayed.
The charges against Det.-Const. Mark Denton, an 18-year veteran assigned to the drug unit, stem from an incident two months ago when a 40-gram bag of hash was allegedly found in his van.
SUSPENDED
Denton, who has been suspended with pay, is to appear in court next month. The charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking relates to the amount of drug allegedly found, but there's no evidence of actual trafficking.
"If he is convicted of these charges, his career could well be in jeopardy (but) nothing is automatic," said Const. Devin Kealey.
Denton was off-duty, but driving an unmarked police vehicle, when he was pulled over by OPP in Newmarket on Nov. 17. Sources said he was driving erratically.
He identified himself as a Toronto cop and went home in the back seat of a cruiser. Police then allegedly found hash in the vehicle.
The drug unit is the focus of two internal affairs investigations.
Defence lawyers claim their clients have been robbed by unit officers -- one lawyer alleges hundreds of thousands of dollars were stolen during drug probes.
As a result of the Denton investigation, six federal drug cases have been stayed. -- With files from Rob Lamberti
Courtesy of the Toronto Sun
January 15, 2000