PRISON NURSE CHARGED WITH DRUG POSSESSION

ST-JEROME, Que. (CP) - A prison nurse is accused of trafficking drugs behind
bars.

Michele Korol-Sainte-Marie, 58, an employee of Archambault detention centre
north of Montreal in Ste-Anne-des-Plaines, faces three charges each of drug
possession and possession with intent to traffic.

When she was arrested Friday, police say Korol-Sainte-Marie was in
possession of drugs valued at $7,000.

Authorities at the federal institution launched an investigation earlier
this month after they suspected employees might smuggling drugs inside.

Quebec provincial police spokesman Pierre Robichaud said investigators
arrested the nurse at the start of her shift Friday.

"As soon as she came into the prison, she was searched and the stash was
found," said Robichaud.

Officers discovered 114 grams of hashish and a large quantity of cocaine, as
well as prescription drugs similar to Valium.

Korol-Sainte-Marie, who has worked at the prison for eight years, posted
about $2,000 bail and was released on her own recognizance after a court
appearance Saturday.