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Martin granted bail for holiday season

Colin Martin will get to spend his Christmas holiday at home, with family, instead of being stuck behind bars.

Colin Martin will get to spend his Christmas holiday at home, with family, instead of being stuck behind bars.

The convicted marijuana smuggler had a bail review and was subsequently released from custody Monday.

Martin has been in prison since he, his common law partner Jennifer Cahill, and Jason Airey were charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, production of a controlled substance and theft of telecommunication service following a July 2010 police raid at Martin’s Malakwa residence and an adjacent workshop, where investigating officers uncovered a bunker beneath the workshop that contained approximately 3,000 marijuana plants.

Martin, Cahill and Airey are scheduled to stand trial this year between Jan. 23 and Feb. 10. However, Crown counsel Ernie Froess says that now Martin is out of custody, he’s applying to adjourn the trial as he is presently without legal counsel.

Martin was denied bail earlier this year in relation to the above charges – the court ordered he remain in detention on all oustanding charges,  including a charge of breach of recognizance.

Prior to his 2010 arrest, Martin had been out on bail while he was appealing a 2007 sentence of two-and-a-half years jail time, handed down after a jury found him guilty on eight counts relating to a cross-border drug smuggling operation: conspiring to export marijuana, conspiring to traffic marijuana, four counts of possessing property that was the proceeds of crime, and two counts of laundering.

The BC Court of Appeal revoked Martin’s bail in August and, soon after, turned down his appeal.

U.S. authorities are also seeking to extradite Martin, alleging he was involved in a separate cross-border drug smuggling operation.

 



Lachlan Labere

About the Author: Lachlan Labere

Editor of the Salmon Arm Observer, Shuswap Market, and Eagle Valley News. I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to keep our readers informed and engaged.
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