B.C. TEACHER FACING DEATH PENALTY

Man Accused Of Smuggling Drugs Into Taiwan

A B.C. teacher could face the death penalty after being arrested for
allegedly smuggling and trafficking cocaine in Taiwan.

According to international news reports, police raided the Taipei home
of Mathieu Forand, 28, an English teacher, on Friday in what officials
termed a sting operation against an international drug smuggling ring.

Forand, who has been teaching in Taiwan for several years, and seven
others -- said to have been throwing a birthday party at the time of
the raid -- were arrested after police allegedly found cocaine,
ecstasy and marijuana on the premises.

The Taipei Times is reporting that the alleged drug smuggling ring
brought drugs into the country inside textbooks and sold them to
foreign students in pubs and other night spots as well as over the
Internet.

The Times is also reporting that the arrests were made after a
three-month surveillance sting.

Speaking yesterday, Forand's "devastated" Port Moody father told
Global television that he had not yet been able to speak with his son
who had never been in trouble before.

Forand's friends say the prosecution is pushing for the death penalty
or 25 years in prison, while his lawyer is arguing for a sentence of
10 to 15 years, CBC News Online reports.

Taiwan is one of 58 countries that imposes capital punishment.