POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED DURING SERIES OF RAIDS

Drugs, Cash Seized

Toronto police have accused one of their own officers of helping an
Eastern European organized crime group charged with importing and
exporting marijuana and cocaine between Canada and the United States.

Traffic Services Constable Ioan-Florin Floria, 34, was arrested
yesterday during a series of co-ordinated raids in Toronto,
Mississauga, York Region, British Columbia and Michigan that busted a
"substantial" smuggling ring and took into custody 24 other people of
Romanian, Albanian and Hungarian origin.

Police have seized more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana, valued at
$3-million, one kilogram of cocaine, valued at $30,000, nearly
$500,000 in Canadian currency and US$41,000. Police also seized three
handguns and two stolen vehicles.

Staff Inspector Don Campbell of Toronto's drug squad said most of the
marijuana was shipped from B.C. to Toronto and then smuggled into the
United States for sale. The profits from that venture were then used
to purchase cocaine, which was imported to Toronto and on to B.C.,
police allege. It is alleged that Const. Floria conducted searches of
confidential police databases and advised the traffickers on how to
avoid police detection.

During the course of the eight-month investigation, police said, they
foiled a plan to kidnap a group associate who was being blamed for
losing a shipment of cargo that police had intercepted in Canada.

Staff Insp. Campbell said the gang successfully kidnapped two other
people in Toronto. "It was a very brutal kidnapping. We're alleging
[Const. Floria] had some knowledge of that after the fact," said
Staff Insp. Campbell.

Const. Floria is charged with two counts of breach of trust, two
counts of obstruction of justice, accessory after the fact of
kidnapping and launder proceeds of crime. Toronto Police Chief Bill
Blair called it "worrisome" that one of his own officers faces such
serious charges, but said he does not believe the problem is
widespread. He noted the service "still recruits from the human race."

Const. Floria was released and has been suspended from his duties
with pay, as outlined by provincial law.