T.O. OFFICER FACES MORE CHARGES

Member Of Drug Squad Was Released On $10,000 Bail

Special Task Force Is Investigating Allegations Of Corruption

A Toronto police officer who was a member of a drug squad now being
investigated for corruption was released on bail in Orangeville yesterday
after being charged with three drug-related offences.

Ned Maodus, 40, was charged with possession of heroin and cocaine for the
purpose of trafficking, and possession of ecstasy.

The arrest of Maodus is only the second time the special task force
investigating alleged corruption in the Toronto Police Service has laid
charges since it was established in the summer of 2001.

But it's expected several more central drug squad officers could be charged
criminally or under the Police Services Act either later this week or some
time next week, sources say.

A special prosecutor has been reviewing the massive case file compiled by
task force investigators for the past six months. Last week, the head of
the task force, RCMP Chief Superintendent John Neily, said the work of his
team was in its "final stages."

Neily's investigators have been probing allegations of theft and fraud by
drug squad members. More than 115 drug cases have been stayed since the
probe began, prompting some drug defendants to launch civil suits against
the Toronto force and the officers who arrested them.

The lawsuits allege that police, in some cases, took money or other
belongings during raids.

In turn, several drug squad officers have filed a civil suit naming Neily,
Chief Julian Fantino, crown attorneys and others, claiming they are the
subject of a witch hunt by the force.

Aside from Maodus, the only other officer charged by Neily's team has been
Constable Robert Kelly, a drug squad officer who pleaded guilty in June to
possessing 3.15 grams of cocaine. His sentencing hearing is still ongoing.

Maodus was released on $10,000 bail yesterday and ordered not to be in
Dufferin County, where he faces separate weapons and assault charges,
except to appear in court.

Maodus, a 15-year veteran, has been suspended from duty with pay since
March 22, 2002. The prior charges were laid by Dufferin OPP two days earlier.

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.