PELADEAU IN STATE OF SHOCK, LAWYER SAYS

In Court To Face 3 Trafficking Counts

A haggard-looking Anne-Marie Peladeau appeared in Quebec Court
yesterday afternoon to face three counts of drug trafficking.

The 42-year-old media heiress was arrested late Thursday at her
Garnier St. apartment in the Rosemont district as part of a police
investigation into her activities, Montreal police Constable Anie
Lemieux said yesterday.

The police report alleges that on Thursday and on July 26, Peladeau
trafficked or was in the possession of heroin, cocaine and crack.

The report also names another woman in the case, but it is unclear if
this person is an accomplice.

Neither Peladeau's lawyer, Nicole Giguere, nor Lemieux were able to
give any details about the second person.

Peladeau, the daughter of Quebecor Inc. founder Pierre Peladeau, is to
have a bail hearing Tuesday.

Speaking briefly with reporters after Peladeau's short court
appearance, Giguere said her client is in a state of shock.

Peladeau's appearance did not belie her fragile state. She looked
drawn, her cheeks were sallow, her short spiky haircut was harsh and
her sweater hung off her very thin frame like a badly draped curtain.

This is not Peladeau's first run-in with the law. She pleaded guilty
in December to four theft-related charges, one count of obstructing
justice and another of attempting to obstruct justice.

In March, she was arrested for shoplifting at a St. Denis St.
bookstore. That same month she was placed on two years' probation
after being convicted of trying to falsify a urine test while at a
drug rehabilitation centre.

In October 2006, Peladeau admitted to the court that between the media
limelight and her family's estrangement, she has had a difficult time
fighting her 25-year battle with drug addiction.

Giguere said Peladeau is not seeking treatment, but does not rule out
that possibility for the future.