RETIRED PRESCOTT POLICE OFFICER FACES DRUG-TRAFFICKING CHARGES

A retired officer with the Prescott police force was one of nine
people charged this week in connection with drug trafficking in the
border town.

Bruce Perrin, 58, was arrested on Aug. 29. He is the second current or
former police officer from the Seaway Valley to face drug charges this
year.

OPP say that, along with eight others, Mr. Perrin faces a long list of
charges: trafficking in a controlled substance; possession of a
controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking; conspiracy to
traffic cocaine, marijuana and morphine; selling and conspiracy to
sell contraband tobacco and possession of proceeds obtained by crime.

The OPP and RCMP have been conducting a joint investigation of the
illegal drug and tobacco trade in the Prescott area since the fall of
2005, the OPP said in a release.

In a related case last March, OPP Const. Maurice Morrissette, also a
former member of the Prescott municipal force, was arrested and
charged with various drug-related offences.

He pleaded guilty to one charge of possession of a controlled
substance and is awaiting trial on several other charges. He has been
suspended from duty.