LAWSUIT CLAIMS 3 OFFICERS PLANTED DRUGS

A Toronto man alleges drug squad officers planted marijuana and took $290
from him during a raid on his after-hours club for teens.

In a Superior Court of Justice civil suit, Wayne Eby claims three former
Toronto Police Central Field Command drug squad officers "wrongfully
arrested" and "maliciously prosecuted" him.

Club Raided

Eby, 34, who claims $150,000 in damages, said he had been operating his
club at 294 College St. for just over three months when drug squad officers
searched it April 6, 1999.

Mike Abbott, Mark Denton and Anita Mancuso are named as defendants in the
lawsuit, which also names Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino and the
police services board.

None of Eby's allegations have been proven in court. It is expected the
officers will defend the action.

A search warrant application obtained by The Toronto Sun shows officers
gained approval to raid the club on the strength of a Crime Stoppers tip a
man named "Wayne" sold a rave drug there.

'Complaints'

A police affidavit states the after-hours club was located in the same
building as Toronto Police 14 Division and "numerous complaints from
concerned citizens" had been received.

During the search officers advised Eby "they had found some marijuana and
drug paraphernalia," the lawsuit states.

They also seized $290, the suit states, "alleging that this money
constituted the proceeds of crime."

All charges against Eby were withdrawn last summer.