Pubdate: Fri, 22 Jun 2007
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Authors: Jean-Francois Bertrand, and Andrew Seymour
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)

GATINEAU OFFICER ARRESTED ON COCAINE CHARGE

Two Kilograms Allegedly Found In Car

A Gatineau police officer has been charged with drug-related offences 
after more than two kilograms of cocaine was found in the car he was 
in late Wednesday.

Peter Vranas, 41, remained calm as he was remanded yesterday. The 
20-year veteran of the force will remain behind bars until his bail 
hearing, which is scheduled for Tuesday at the Gatineau courthouse.

Also charged is Claude Dorion Jr., 31, of Gatineau, who is Mr. 
Vranas's brother-in-law.

Four other people were arrested in the case, including two women, but 
have not yet been charged, police said. Gatineau police said that 
part of the investigation is ongoing.

Gatineau police are building the case against Mr. Dorion, while 
Surete du Quebec investigated Mr. Vranas, since Quebec law prevents 
the Gatineau police from investigating one of their own officers. 
Likewise, the Crown attorney prosecuting the police officer, Mylene 
Gregoire, is from the Valleyfield district, and efforts are being 
made to find a judge from out of town to hear the case.

Throughout the day yesterday, Surete du Quebec investigators searched 
Mr. Vranas' residence at 37 Alphonse-Lusignan St. They found between 
$15,000 and $20,000 in cash, 15 cannabis plants growing in the back 
yard, 1,000 pills now awaiting chemical analysis, and 14 cases of 
contraband cigarettes.

Meanwhile, Gatineau police searched a residence at 80 de Cognac St. 
yesterday. Police sources say $8,000 was found.

Mr. Vranas and Mr. Dorion were charged separately yesterday with 
trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession 
of property obtained by crime.

Mr. Vranas was also charged with production of cannabis.

At about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Gatineau police stopped a car on 
suspicion of weapons offences at 200 Cite des Jeunes Blvd. In the car 
was Mr. Vranas and Mr. Dorion, who then fled. He was quickly picked 
up by the tactical squad waiting nearby, police sources said.

In the trunk of the car, police found more than two kilograms of 
cocaine, with an estimated street value of $240,000 and an 
undisclosed amount of cash -- but no gun.

At a press conference yesterday morning, Acting Police Chief Mario 
Harel said the arrested constable has not been working for the past 
year. He would not elaborate as to why the officer had been off work.

Acting Chief Harel said police had not been investigating the officer 
prior to the traffic stop and officers were surprised to discover one 
of their own inside the vehicle.

Acting Chief Harel said the seizure of two kilograms of cocaine is 
significant for Gatineau police, regardless of the officer's alleged 
involvement in the case.

"For the Gatineau police service, it is a big bust. Two kilograms of 
cocaine is pretty rare in our community," he said, adding police have 
yet to determine where the drugs were headed.

Acting Chief Harel said the drugs had not been stolen from police evidence.

He said the arrest has left many officers in the department disappointed.

"We know it is an isolated incident and we have full confidence in 
our officers on the road," he said. "All the officers are very 
professional and do their job properly."

In court yesterday, in front of Justice Louise Turpin, Crown 
prosecutor Genevieve De Passille objected to the release of Mr. 
Dorion and Mr. Vranas. As the disclosure of evidence would not have 
been ready for today, and since Monday is a statutory holiday in 
Quebec, the bail hearing was set for Tuesday.

Meanwhile the police officer will spend the long weekend behind bars 
in Valleyfield, where the detention centre will be able to isolate 
him from the general population, which is not possible at the 
Gatineau jail on Tache Boulevard.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom