By The Canadian Press

Accused drug dealers leave Victoria courts free men due to sherriff shortage

Feb 23, 2017 | 3:55 PM

VICTORIA — The Opposition New Democrats in B.C. blamed a shortage of courthouse sheriffs on why two accused drug dealers were freed without facing justice.

NDP public safety critic Mike Farnworth said it’s outrageous the two men accused of cocaine and heroin trafficking didn’t face trial because there weren’t enough sheriffs available to protect and monitor the courtrooms.

Farnworth said the accused heroin dealer was smiling when the Victoria judge told him he was free to leave the court.

Farnworth said the release of accused drug dealers is especially difficult to accept when British Columbia is wracked by an illicit drug overdose crisis that killed 922 people last year.

Attorney General Suzanne Anton said there has been a shortage of sheriffs at the Victoria courthouse due to sickness and staffing issues, but the government has increased her budget by $2.6 million and 48 new sheriffs are in training classes.

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Court spokesman Bruce Cohen says the chief justice of the B.C. Supreme Court plans to look into the issue.

The Canadian Press