Five accused on cannabis charges
FIVE Chinese men are to stand trial on charges of growing and supplying cannabis at the former U.S. navy bases in Caithness and various places in the north and elsewhere.
It is likely that the trial will last six weeks and involve up to 90 prosecution witnesses.
The accused are Yuen Fai Lai (48) of Ackergill Cresecent, Wick and Bo Chen (26), Wan Yue Lin (33) Ah Bing Zheng (31) and Kang Lin (33) all described as prisoners at Inverness. They had their cases continued until next week.
All five deny being concerned in the supply of cannabis, between April 4, 2010 and March 29, 2011, at the former US Navy communications base at West Murkle, Thurso and train stations at Thurso, Inverness and Dunkeld, as well as Owen Place, Wick and Desmond Street, London. A sixth accused, Xiang Yun Zheng (39) a prisoner at Corton Vale, Stirling also denies the charges but was not present in court yesterday. The six also deny a second charge of producing the class B drug at the former naval base between the same dates.
At yesterday’s hearing, defence solicitor, Neil Wilson, representing Ah Bing Zheng said the 31-year-old pleaded guilty to the supply charge on dates between March 9-29 but that plea was not accepted by fiscal Sharon Ralph, however.
The forthcoming trial will be conducted for the prosecution by area fiscal Andrew Laing. Sheriff David Sutherland continued the case until July 19 to allow Mr Wilson to arrange another lawyer for his client. Yuen Fai Lai’s bail was continued while Bo Chen, Wan Yue Lin, Ah Bing Zheung and Kang Lin were remanded in custody.