Pubdate: Fri, 23 Sep 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Ethan Baron
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

PROSECUTOR UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR DRUG POSSESSION

Cocaine, Pot Allegedly Found During Search

A federal justice department employee is under investigation after 
she was reportedly caught with cocaine and marijuana at a Vancouver concert.

Police declined to comment yesterday.

Crown spokesman Stan Lowe would only confirm that Vancouver police 
had sent his office an investigation file on a federal justice 
department employee.

The woman, described in reports as a junior counsel, is still listed 
on a federal government website as a Justice Canada prosecutor.

But she is no longer employed there, a Department of Justice 
spokeswoman told The Province.

Security staff at GM Place reportedly searched the woman as she was 
entering the stadium for a Pearl Jam concert Sept. 2.

During the routine check, the security staff allegedly found small 
amounts of pot and cocaine.

The Criminal Justice Branch of the B.C. Attorney-General's office has 
received the investigation report and Crown is assessing whether any 
charges will be laid.

It would be a "potential conflict of interest" for federal 
authorities to handle the matter, said Lowe.

"The Criminal Justice Branch agreed to take on the charge assessment 
because of the significant potential for real or perceived improper 
influence in the independent exercise of prosecutorial responsibilities.

"Not only must justice be done, justice must be seen to be done."

The Law Society of B.C. said the woman has no discipline history with 
the society.

Purses and bags belonging to women entering concerts at GM Place are 
routinely searched, according to a security guard who has worked the venue.

"If something was in somebody's bag, you would very likely find it," 
he said. "You go through all their little pockets. You don't want 
booze or drugs coming in."
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman