Pubdate: Wed, 02 Jun 2004
Source: Red Deer Advocate (CN AB)
Copyright: 2004 Red Deer Advocate
Contact:  http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2492
Author: Jack Wilson

WIRETAP EVIDENCE CHALLENGED

A constitutional challenge of wiretap evidence from what is perhaps the 
largest such investigation in Canadian history is underway in Red Deer court.

The challenge is part of a case that has been described as "the largest 
gang prosecution in Canada."

The accused were charged along with 13 other people in police raids in Red 
Deer on Sept. 24, 1999.

Several people charged in Red Deer and Edmonton were suspected of being 
members of an organized crime ring.

The case involved construction of a super courtroom in Edmonton and cost 
several million dollars in legal expenses.

Forty-two people were charged in Edmonton but many were acquitted after 
courts ruled that their rights had been violated by the Crown's failure to 
disclose all of the voluminous material. The evidence covered hundreds of 
thousands of pages.

The wiretap portion of the evidence recorded more than 281,000 calls in an 
eight-month period or an average of 1,100 calls per day for drugs and deals 
alleged to involve the Edmonton gang and its Red Deer arm.

The Red Deer portion of the trial is the only segment remaining and 
involves the trial of two men charged with numerous drug offences five 
years ago in Red Deer.

The trial of Hai Thanh Le, 29, and Xuan Vinh Dang, 32, has been bogged down 
in defence motions alleging that they weren't afforded a timely trial and 
had their Charter of Rights and Freedoms violated.

However, Justice Douglas Sirrs ruled six weeks ago that the men's right to 
a timely trial wasn't violated.

Both face charges of conspiracy to traffic in cocaine and possession of 
cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled 
substance for the purpose of trafficking and trafficking in a controlled 
substance.

The Crown obtained 11 convictions in Red Deer.

Kevin Sproule of Red Deer represents Le and Barinder Pannu of Edmonton acts 
for Dang.
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