MONO MAN, DRUG SQUAD OFFICER FACING NUMEROUS CHARGES

A Mono resident and Toronto drug squad officer faces numerous charges
including obstruction of justice, perjury, extortion and assault causing
bodily harm, along with five of his fellow officers.

In a press conference Wednesday, Toronto police chief Julian Fantino said
he was "deeply saddened and disappointed" by the host of assault, theft and
extortion charges laid against the drug squad.

The arrests are a result of a two-year investigation by a special task
force into allegations of criminal activity by former members of the
Central Field Command Squad team.

A 15-year veteran of the police force, Ned Maodus, 40, is facing 13 charges.

Other Charges

On Monday, Maodus was released on bail in Orangeville court after the
special task force charged him with three drug-related offences --
possession of heroin and cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and
possession of ecstasy.

He was released on $10,000 bail and ordered not to be in Dufferin County
except to appear in court.

The drug charges against Maodus relate to evidence found during a search of
his residence by OPP in March 2002.

At that time, Dufferin OPP laid several charges against the officer, which
are not related to his role as a Toronto police officer.

They include assault, sexual assault, assault causing bodily harm, uttering
threats and pointing a firearm -- all alleged against a female victim --
possession of a prohibited weapon and a restricted weapon and storing
firearms in a careless manner.

Maodus has been suspended from duty with pay since March 2002.

He was to appear in Scarborough court Wednesday on the charges related to
the drug squad.