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Guilty pleas in pet store drug charges

Guilty pleas were entered Sept. 24 at Red Deer provincial court to drug charges related to a bust made at an Innisfail pet store and a residence in August 2011.

Guilty pleas were entered Sept. 24 at Red Deer provincial court to drug charges related to a bust made at an Innisfail pet store and a residence in August 2011.

Wessam Haimour pleaded guilty to possession of a drug or controlled substance and possession of a prohibited weapon. Kenneth Dustin Powell pleaded guilty to possession. William Francis Cunningham pleaded guilty to possession for the purpose of trafficking and knowing and possession of a prohibited weapon. Nancy Ann Gosney pleaded guilty to possession.

The four had been scheduled to proceed to a preliminary hearing on Sept. 24 when the charges were entered. A preliminary hearing is normally a prelude to a trial.

Gosney was sentenced on the possession charge. She is to pay a $1,000 fine and serve 12 months on probation.

Powell was sentenced to 90 days jail on the possession charge.

Haimour is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 16 and Cunningham on Dec. 19.

The four were charged after the Innisfail Dog House, a residence and two vehicles were searched in August 2011. Police at the time said they seized a significant amount of illegal drugs including cocaine, cash, and a .45-calibre semi-automatic handgun with ammunition.

Two Calgary-based teams, Safer Communities and Neighbours and Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, were part of the investigation.

Several other drug and firearms-related charges were withdrawn Sept. 24.

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