N.S. DEPUTY SHERIFF ARRESTED

HALIFAX - Halifax police arrested a deputy sheriff yesterday for
allegedly trying to bring illicit drugs into a local jail.

The 40-year-old uniformed officer and an unidentified woman were
picked up after investigators observed what they described as an
alleged drug transaction.

The deputy sheriff, who was not named, was apprehended near the
Dartmouth courthouse while the 22-year-old woman was arrested at a
nearby intersection.

Justice Minister Ross Landry said charges were pending related to
"suspected drug activity."

He also confirmed his department is launching an internal
investigation.

"We believe this is an isolated incident," Landry said outside the
legislature.

"This incident is very disappointing. As the minister of justice,
these type of incidents cause great concern."

He said he didn't know what type or quantity of drugs were involved,
but confirmed investigators believe the drugs were destined for the
Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Dartmouth.

The deputy sheriff, who has been on the job for five years, is on
administrative leave with pay. Corrections staff have been caught
trying to get drugs into provincial facilities before, but Landry said
it's believed to be the first time a deputy sheriff has been accused
of such a crime.

Deputy sheriffs are peace officers who work for the Justice
Department. Their main tasks include providing security for the courts
and transferring prisoners between provincial facilities.

Conservative critic Cecil Clarke, a former justice minister, said
there are many unanswered questions.

He said the justice minister has to determine if "there are any inside
sources" in the correctional service.

"The real concern is if there's a connect with correctional workers."