GATINEAU OFFICER ARRESTED ON COCAINE CHARGE

Two Kilograms Allegedly Found In Car

A Gatineau police officer has been charged with drug-related offences
after more than two kilograms of cocaine was found in the car he was
in late Wednesday.

Peter Vranas, 41, remained calm as he was remanded yesterday. The
20-year veteran of the force will remain behind bars until his bail
hearing, which is scheduled for Tuesday at the Gatineau courthouse.

Also charged is Claude Dorion Jr., 31, of Gatineau, who is Mr.
Vranas's brother-in-law.

Four other people were arrested in the case, including two women, but
have not yet been charged, police said. Gatineau police said that
part of the investigation is ongoing.

Gatineau police are building the case against Mr. Dorion, while
Surete du Quebec investigated Mr. Vranas, since Quebec law prevents
the Gatineau police from investigating one of their own officers.
Likewise, the Crown attorney prosecuting the police officer, Mylene
Gregoire, is from the Valleyfield district, and efforts are being
made to find a judge from out of town to hear the case.

Throughout the day yesterday, Surete du Quebec investigators searched
Mr. Vranas' residence at 37 Alphonse-Lusignan St. They found between
$15,000 and $20,000 in cash, 15 cannabis plants growing in the back
yard, 1,000 pills now awaiting chemical analysis, and 14 cases of
contraband cigarettes.

Meanwhile, Gatineau police searched a residence at 80 de Cognac St.
yesterday. Police sources say $8,000 was found.

Mr. Vranas and Mr. Dorion were charged separately yesterday with
trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession
of property obtained by crime.

Mr. Vranas was also charged with production of cannabis.

At about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Gatineau police stopped a car on
suspicion of weapons offences at 200 Cite des Jeunes Blvd. In the car
was Mr. Vranas and Mr. Dorion, who then fled. He was quickly picked
up by the tactical squad waiting nearby, police sources said.

In the trunk of the car, police found more than two kilograms of
cocaine, with an estimated street value of $240,000 and an
undisclosed amount of cash -- but no gun.

At a press conference yesterday morning, Acting Police Chief Mario
Harel said the arrested constable has not been working for the past
year. He would not elaborate as to why the officer had been off work.

Acting Chief Harel said police had not been investigating the officer
prior to the traffic stop and officers were surprised to discover one
of their own inside the vehicle.

Acting Chief Harel said the seizure of two kilograms of cocaine is
significant for Gatineau police, regardless of the officer's alleged
involvement in the case.

"For the Gatineau police service, it is a big bust. Two kilograms of
cocaine is pretty rare in our community," he said, adding police have
yet to determine where the drugs were headed.

Acting Chief Harel said the drugs had not been stolen from police evidence.

He said the arrest has left many officers in the department disappointed.

"We know it is an isolated incident and we have full confidence in
our officers on the road," he said. "All the officers are very
professional and do their job properly."

In court yesterday, in front of Justice Louise Turpin, Crown
prosecutor Genevieve De Passille objected to the release of Mr.
Dorion and Mr. Vranas. As the disclosure of evidence would not have
been ready for today, and since Monday is a statutory holiday in
Quebec, the bail hearing was set for Tuesday.

Meanwhile the police officer will spend the long weekend behind bars
in Valleyfield, where the detention centre will be able to isolate
him from the general population, which is not possible at the
Gatineau jail on Tache Boulevard.