JP ON DRUGS RAP

Lawyer Also Nabbed

A Niagara Justice of the Peace and a Welland lawyer are among four who face
charges in what police allege is a drugs and money laundering scheme
yesterday. Although RCMP officials refused to say if any of the four
accused had ties with bikers, particularly the Hells Angels, they admit
they relied on the province's biker enforcement unit for information and
intelligence.

The four were arrested following an investigation launched in January 2002.

'JUSTICE COMPROMISED?'

"Of particular concern to us as we continued this investigation, and of
significant public interest, is whether or not the local justice system had
been compromised by the two accused who were employed in it," RCMP Insp.
Linda Martell said. "The investigation thus far has not gleaned any
information to indicate that such is the case."

The biker unit was formed in part to deal with the influx of bikers into
the region after the Hells had set up a chapter in Welland, in addition the
Outlaws' mother chapter in St. Catharines.

FACING CHARGES

Justice of the Peace George Radocjcic, 44, of Niagara Falls, faces charges
including possession of the proceeds of crime, laundering proceeds of
crime, conspiracy to launder the criminal proceeds, conspiracy to possess
the proceeds of crime.

Criminal and civil lawyer Jeffrey Root, 38, of Welland, faces charges
including conspiracy to launder the proceeds of crime, conspiracy to
possess the proceeds of crime and counselling to commit laundering.

Richard "Ricky" Ward, 44, of Sherkston, Ont., and Monica Gehl, 25, of Port
Colborne, are charged with two counts of trafficking cocaine and possessing
proceeds of crime.