RCMP videotaped J-Tornado suspects for 2 years before judicial authorization

A Saint John drug trial heardTuesdaythe RCMP conducted covert electronic surveillance of suspects in its J-Tornado operation for two years before obtaining any judicial authorizations.

RCMP Cpl. Dave Hendricks, who installed video cameras around Saint John beginning early in 2012, was reluctant to give much information about them, but said all cameras were in public areas where there is "no expectation of privacy" and consequently no requirement for special judicial approval.

He wouldn't say how many cameras were put up or how much evidence policed gathered, revealing only after prodding from presiding Court of Queen's Bench Justice William Grant that the technique was used "numerous" and "several" times.

"I can definitely say it was less than 100 and more than one," Hendrickstestified during thetrial of Shane Williams and Joshua Kindred.

Police allege the co-accusedled one of two major drug rings in Saint John until their arrest in September 2014, along with 26 others as part of J-Tornado.Thirteen of those charged have been convicted so far and are serving prison terms of between twoand eightyears.

Williams, of Smithtown,and Kindred, of Saint John, who are both in their 30s,are on trial for variousdrug possession, drug trafficking and conspiracy charges,and will alsofaceorganized crime-relatedcharges in a separatetrial later.

The RCMP initiated a joint forcesinvestigation into drug trafficking in Saint John in November 2011 and immediately named it Operation J-Tornado. Hendricks, who is a covert surveillance expert, came on board in February 2012.

Hendricks told the court on Tuesday he was concerned about revealing too much information about police techniques and asked permission several times not to answer questions fromBrian Munro and Reid Chedore, Williams' and Kindred's defence lawyers.

Munro grew impatient when Hendricks balked at saying whether the cameras he installed could be operated remotely by computer.

"Come on," complained Munro. "This witness doesn't want to answer anything."

The judge assured Hendricks the answer was unlikely to reveal any secrets.Hendricks then confirmed cameras were connected to computers.

Chedore said he was a little unsettled by the techniques employed by police.

"It would seem creepy if I put a camera outside your home and filmed you," Chedore said, although Hendricks never did reveal where most of the cameras were, who they were pointed at or what they recorded.

In May 2014, police did obtain judicial approval to conduct more specific surveillance, including the placement of microphones in the car of and on the body of the former Saint John restaurant owner police hired to collect evidence in the case.