Pubdate: Thu, 26 Oct 2006
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2006, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Shannon Kari
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public figures or officials

RCMP MAY HAVE BROKEN DRUG LAWS, JUDGE TOLD

VANCOUVER -- The RCMP may have breached the country's drug laws when 
it permitted an informant to traffic large amounts of methamphetamine 
during a Hells Angels investigation, a B.C. Supreme Court judge heard 
yesterday.

The informant, [Name redacted] , was allowed to transport nearly 20 
kilograms of methamphetamine in 2003 and early 2004 while he was on 
bail on an extortion charge.

Defence lawyer Don Morrison suggested the RCMP was acting "without 
statutory shelter," when it allowed him to traffic in drugs and 
commit other criminal acts while under police observation.

Mr. Morrison is representing [Name redacted] , on trial with [Name 
redacted] on charges related to the alleged trafficking of a kilo of 
methamphetamine in September, 2004.

The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act permits police to authorize a 
person under its "direction and control," to commit drug offences as 
part of a criminal probe.

But the RCMP did not seek formal authorizations for[Name redacted] to 
engage in drug trafficking until April, 2004, several months after he 
began his association with police.

Corporal Doug Collins testified yesterday that [Name redacted] was 
not under the "direction and control" of police until the spring of 
2004, when he signed an agreement with the RCMP under which he may 
ultimately receive $1-million for his undercover work.

Mr. Morrison asked the officer if he was aware of the "aiding and 
abetting" sections of the Criminal Code, which make it illegal to 
assist in the commission of an offence or omit to do something so it 
can take place.

Cpl. Collins, one of [Name redacted] first police handlers, said he 
was aware of the sections. He explained the RCMP permitted the 
activity because the former strip club bouncer was being used "as 
part of a large investigation" into the east-end chapter of the Hells 
Angels in Vancouver.

The decision to allow [Name redacted] to engage in criminal 
activities so he could infiltrate the Hells Angels was made by Chief 
Superintendent Bob Paulson, who headed the $7-million RCMP investigation.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine