Pubdate: Tue, 27 Mar 2001
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2001, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  #250, 4990-92 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T6B 3A1 Canada
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Author: Tony Blais

CROWN PRUNES DRUG TRIAL CHARGES

Federal prosecutors yesterday officially stayed all charges against 
21 alleged drug-dealing gangsters except for one count of conspiracy 
to traffic in cocaine.

The Crown had announced on Friday its intention to drop multiple 
charges, including being part of a criminal organization, against the 
21 as part of a proposal to streamline Edmonton's large gang trial. 
As part of that proposal, prosecutors will proceed against nine of 
the accused gangsters on charges of being part of a criminal 
organization and conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

The alleged kingpins of the operation, De Trang, 55, and his sons 
Binh Quoc Trang, 26, and Tuan Quoc (Charlie) Trang, 30, will face an 
additional charge of being in possession of the proceeds of crime. 
Yesterday, the federal Crown also officially stayed all charges 
against De Trang's wife, Kim Trang, 51, and two family companies 
including Centennial Billiards.

Defence lawyers in the case, which is being heard in a $2.1-million 
courtroom built in the basement of the downtown Law Courts building, 
were upset despite charges being stayed.

Bryan Newton, who represents Charlie Trang, said an attempt to have 
all charges tossed due to an abuse of process by the Crown is still 
being considered.

"We do not accept the Crown's exercise in discretion," said Newton. 
"The question of abuse of process and the request for a judicial stay 
still remains a lively issue."

Defence lawyer Richard Stroppel cited a judgment stemming from the 
prosecution of a Manitoba native gang under gang-busting federal 
legislation which said trials shouldn't take place with more than 
eight to 10 accused.

Stroppel said there could be motions made to reduce the 21 accused 
into smaller groups and he speculated there could be problems 
creating enough adequate courtrooms.

"We should not allow the bureaucratic tail the ability to wag the 
judicial dog," said Stroppel. Next on the agenda is an April 2 
hearing to resolve disclosure issues.

The alleged gangsters were arrested in September 1999 following a 
massive 14-month police operation, which cost $750,000, in Edmonton, 
Red Deer and Fort McMurray.

The operation targeted one of two city drug gangs, whom cops believe 
were involved in a local shooting war which left two dead and three 
injured in the summer of 1999.
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