Cocaine dealer tells cop´s trial he was `pretty much allowed to sell drugs´
(The Star Fashion & Style)

A Hamilton cocaine dealer testified Thursday he was allowed to ply his illicit trade with impunity after paying $20,000 a month in protection money to a city police officer.“What were you getting in return for ... $20,000,� Crown attorney John Pollard asked the dealer.“I would know when search warrants are happening, I’d know who was, uh ... informing on me ... I was pretty much allowed to sell drugs,� the dealer, who cannot be identified, told a Superior Court jury in Toronto.He was testifying for a second day at the trial of Hamilton Police Service Det.-Const. Craig Ruthowsky, who has pleaded not guilty to corruption-related offences and drug trafficking.The dealer said his cash-for-protection arrangement began in Aug. 2011 after members of the Hamilton police guns and gangs unit, which included Ruthowsky, raided his condo and seized nine ounces of cocaine, 10 pounds of marijuana and cash.After his arrest on various charges — that were later stayed — the dealer says he struck a deal with Ruthowsky and another officer to trade in two handguns in return for his release without any restrictions. A few weeks later, the dealer said Ruthowsky called him saying he wanted to return some property seized during the raid. The pair met in a Tim Horton’s parking lot, where the dealer said he offered to pay Ruthowsky for secret police information that would keep him, and three of his associates, out of trouble.The dealer testified he had been told by others about a similar arrangement with Ruthowsky. “He (Ruthowsky) goes, ‘OK, there’s four of you, you know the price, next time I see you just bring it with you,’ and I said OK,� the dealer said.“Was there any discussion of actual money,� Pollard asked.“I said yeah, five, right? And he said yeah, and I said but there’s four of us and he said ‘OK, well it’s that same amount times four.’�The dealer clarif ...