GATINEAU OFFICER TO REMAIN JAILED UNTIL TRIAL

A Gatineau police officer charged with possession of narcotics will
be detained until his trial.

At the end of a day-long bail hearing, Justice Jules Barriere ruled
that Peter Vranas, 41, should not be released, to "maintain the
confidence of the public in the administration of justice."

A publication ban prohibits reporting details of the evidence heard
in court yesterday. Mr. Vranas is being held at a detention centre in
Valleyfield, Que., where the police officer is segregated from the
general prison population for his safety.

Mr. Vranas faces charges of trafficking, possession for the purpose
of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime and
production of cannabis.