CROWN PRUNES DRUG TRIAL CHARGES

Federal prosecutors yesterday officially stayed all charges against
21 alleged drug-dealing gangsters except for one count of conspiracy
to traffic in cocaine.

The Crown had announced on Friday its intention to drop multiple
charges, including being part of a criminal organization, against the
21 as part of a proposal to streamline Edmonton's large gang trial.
As part of that proposal, prosecutors will proceed against nine of
the accused gangsters on charges of being part of a criminal
organization and conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

The alleged kingpins of the operation, De Trang, 55, and his sons
Binh Quoc Trang, 26, and Tuan Quoc (Charlie) Trang, 30, will face an
additional charge of being in possession of the proceeds of crime.
Yesterday, the federal Crown also officially stayed all charges
against De Trang's wife, Kim Trang, 51, and two family companies
including Centennial Billiards.

Defence lawyers in the case, which is being heard in a $2.1-million
courtroom built in the basement of the downtown Law Courts building,
were upset despite charges being stayed.

Bryan Newton, who represents Charlie Trang, said an attempt to have
all charges tossed due to an abuse of process by the Crown is still
being considered.

"We do not accept the Crown's exercise in discretion," said Newton.
"The question of abuse of process and the request for a judicial stay
still remains a lively issue."

Defence lawyer Richard Stroppel cited a judgment stemming from the
prosecution of a Manitoba native gang under gang-busting federal
legislation which said trials shouldn't take place with more than
eight to 10 accused.

Stroppel said there could be motions made to reduce the 21 accused
into smaller groups and he speculated there could be problems
creating enough adequate courtrooms.

"We should not allow the bureaucratic tail the ability to wag the
judicial dog," said Stroppel. Next on the agenda is an April 2
hearing to resolve disclosure issues.

The alleged gangsters were arrested in September 1999 following a
massive 14-month police operation, which cost $750,000, in Edmonton,
Red Deer and Fort McMurray.

The operation targeted one of two city drug gangs, whom cops believe
were involved in a local shooting war which left two dead and three
injured in the summer of 1999.