SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. - Ten people nabbed last summer in a drug sweep in this northern Ontario city walked free Monday on the first day of what was to be a two-week trial.

Judge Andrew Buttazzoni dismissed trafficking charges against the nine men and one woman after he refused to grant the Crown an adjournment., requested because an out-of-town undercover police officer wasn't available to testify because he's getting married.

The date for the trial, involving 16 accused, was set in February, but the undercover officer didn't receive a subpoena until the first week in September.

The judge was concerned that the subpoena was issued too late.

Seventeen people were charged in August 2009, following the six-month, undercover operation.

Police said they seized narcotics with a street value of $11,360, along with $3,400 in cash.