REGINA CORRECTIONS OFFICER GETS PRISON FOR TRAFFICKING

As a veteran correctional officer and supervisor, Larry William Baragar was
well-positioned inside the Regina Correctional Centre to bring tobacco and
drugs inside the institution.

Now he'll be experiencing life from the other side of the bars.

The 60-year-old was handed a three-year prison sentence after pleading
guilty Tuesday in Regina provincial court to three counts of drug
trafficking, two counts each of possessing drugs for the purpose of
trafficking and possessing crime proceeds, and one count of breach of trust.

The sentence was jointly proposed by Crown and defence lawyers, and Judge
Linton Smith agreed to impose it after hearing details of the drug
trafficking scheme stemming from 2009 and early 2010.

Court heard the Regina integrated drug unit launched an investigation in
2009 after receiving information that one or more staff members at the jail
were arranging for drugs and other contraband to be brought into the
institution.

Using wiretaps, undercover operators and other methods, police soon
discovered Baragar -- who'd been employed at the jail since 1986 -- was
bringing in tobacco and drugs in exchange for cash.

Federal Crown prosecutor Doug Curliss said inmates used a variety of
methods to get drugs inside the jail and Baragar -- who, as a guard, wasn't
subject to searches upon entering the jail -- became one of those methods.

"He'd simply walk the drugs into the jail," Curliss said.

In most cases, an inmate would make arrangements by phone with an outside
contact to have that person put together a package of tobacco or drugs,
then put the items inside a tobacco pouch. The inmate would speak with
Baragar, then a supervisor, who'd make arrangements to meet the outside
contact and pick up the drugs. In general, Baragar was paid $200 for
carrying tobacco and $500 for taking in a package of drugs.

Once Baragar had brought the drugs back to the jail, he'd arrange to meet
the inmate in his office, at which time he'd hand over the tobacco and
drugs -- mainly marijuana, but also Demerol and various paraphernalia.

Baragar's illegal activities came to an end when, in March, he agreed to
carry in marijuana and cocaine for a man who turned out to be an undercover
operator working with the police.

A search of Baragar's home located drugs and drug paraphernalia.