BY KEITH LACEY
It took $70,000 in sureties to secure his freedom, but bail has been granted to the first man to have a bail hearing after several men were arrested in an alleged cocaine trafficking ring three weeks ago.
James Peterson, 50, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in cocaine after 14 people were arrested after police confiscated more than two kilograms of cocaine, a large stash of cash and other street drugs.
Justice of the Peace Paula Nicholls agreed to release Peterson on bail until his trial but under strict conditions.
Police allege several Greater Sudbury men were involved in a ring where cocaine was brought to this jurisdiction through other areas of Canada, specifically through the Hells Angels organization in Sherbrooke, Que.
A bail hearing for Stephane Valence Rodrigue, 34, and Christian Chenard, 33, both of Sherbrooke, is expected to be completed today (Wednesday).
Police allege Rodrigue and Chenard are affiliated with the Sherbrooke Hells Angels chapter.
The bail hearing is being presided over by justice of the peace Diane Lafleur.
Chenard is being assisted by a French-language interpreter during the bail hearing.
Lafleur imposed a ban on publication of all evidence presented at the bail hearing.
Chenard is being represented at the bail hearing by Sudbury lawyer Denis Michel, while Rodrigue is being represented by local counsel Andrew
Buttazzoni.
Peterson?s father Bob, 70, posted a surety of $40,000. Another woman posted an additional surety of $25,000, while Peterson himself had to post a surety of $5,000.
If Peterson breaks any conditions of his bail, he could forfeit the entire $70,000 surety.
Conditions of Peterson?s bail include not having any contact in any way with any of the other men arrested in the drug bust. He must notify Greater Sudbury Police of any change of address or employment and must respect a curfew between 11 pm and 8 am daily, except when accompanied by one of his two sureties.
Jason Shawn McGonagle, 29; Michael Scott Anderson, 29; Torrie John Dunlop, 29; Max Ellard Hubert, 59; Robert Edward Dominelli, 32; and Scott Christopher Stanley, 30, all of Greater Sudbury, are each charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine and conspiracy to possess cocaine for the
purpose of trafficking.
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