TRAFFICKER DESCRIBES DRUG SETUP

A drug trafficker acting as an undercover informant for the RCMP testified
yesterday about his many meetings with a Hydro-Quebec engineer who was
looking for someone to run shipments of cocaine and hashish from Mexico.

At the opening of Fernand Imbeault's trial on charges of conspiracy to
import drugs, the witness told how Imbeault was looking to hire someone to
hide the drugs on transport trucks carrying legitimate merchandise.

In meetings in the spring of 2002, the two discussed how the Ochoa clan of
Colombia was providing the cocaine.

The informant said the conversations were definitely about cocaine even
though the word was never mentioned - only kilos. "That's what people in
the business say," he told the jury.

But Imbeault, who is defending himself, asked if it was possible he'd been
seeking someone to truck other goods from Mexico.

"Are you aware that in Mexico they grow fruit and vegetables?" he asked.
"So it would be possible that someone might want to transport fruit,
vegetables, or even gold."

"Not with me, in any case," the witness retorted, causing chuckles in the court.