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." - --- MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman