Money-laundering probe dropped against Heavyweights
But owner Rob King could face up to 10 years if convicted of ephedrine-related charges
Heavyweights Fitness owner Rob King won't face charges for money laundering or proceeds of crime, but the Crown has opted for the more serious indictable option on ephedrine-related charges against him.
Federal Crown lawyer Brenda Boyd confirmed that during an appearance at provincial court in St. John's Thursday.
Defence lawyer Averill Baker had raised questions about the status of the RCMP investigation.
The fitness club owner could face up to 10 years in prison for illegally shipping ephedrine across the Canada-U.S. border.
King is facing three charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
The charges are unlawful exportation, unlawful possession, and an unlawful attempt to export from Canada a substance included in Schedule VI of the act.
The RCMP raided King’s business locations and home in November 2012.
From August to October 2012, police had intercepted packages of ephedrine — 44 of them, containing 44,700 pills — mailed to customers all over the United States.
In a March interview with CBC News, King said the police investigation lacked substance.
"I’ve done nothing wrong, and I’m getting smeared everywhere for something I didn’t do," King said at the time.
His case is due back in court next month.