Six charged with drugs offences relating to former Caithness Naval base
SIX people are facing charges of being involved in the supply and production of cannabis at a former Naval base in Caithness.
Up to 90 witnesses could be called at the trial which is expected to last six weeks.
Five men in the dock at Inverness Sheriff Court on Tuesday were represented by Chinese interpreters.
A woman charged with the same offences, who is a prisoner at Cornton Vale in Stirling, was not present. She denied the charges through a solicitor.
Depute fiscal Sharon Ralph said she wanted to clarify something before deserting the case against the woman, Xiang Yun Zheng (29).
She told Sheriff David Sutherland the case would be conducted by the area fiscal for Caithness.
All are charged with acting along with others being concerned in the supply of cannabis at the former Naval communications base at West Murkle, Thurso, a property in Owen Place, Wick, Thurso Railway Station, Inverness Railway Station, Triangle Railway Station in Yorkshire, Dunkeld Railway Station and a property in Desmond Street, London, between April 4 last year and March 29.
They are also charged with producing the drug at the former Naval base at West Murkle between these dates.
One of four men in the dock, who are prisoners at Inverness, Ah Bing Zheng (31), pleaded not guilty to dealing but his solicitor, Neil Wilson, said he was willing to plead guilty to the production of the drug between March 9 and March 29 last year. However, these pleas were not accepted by the Crown.
Three other prisoners at Inverness – Wan Yue Lin (43), Bo Chen (26) and Kang Lin (33) – and a fifth man, Yuen Fai Lai (48), of Ackergill Crescent, Wick, also pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Sheriff David Sutherland heard up to 90 witnesses could be called and the trial is expected to last six weeks. The case will recall on July 19 at Inverness.
Mr Wilson has asked to be discharged from the case because he is unable to commit six weeks to the trial.
He told the sheriff he was taking steps to find another firm of solicitors to represent Ah Bing Zheng. The sheriff asked him to continue until the next diet on the 19th and he agreed.
Yuen Fai Lai had his bail continued and the others were remanded.