Pubdate: Thu, 16 Mar 2006
Source: Muse, The (CN NF Edu)
Copyright: 2006 The Muse
Contact:  http://www.mun.ca/muse/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2656
Author: Tessa Vanderhart

PRESIDENT-ELECT CONVICTED OF DRUG POSSESSION

Garry Sran's Criminal Record Revealed During Election

WINNIPEG  -- A flurry of media coverage has characterized Garry
Sran's election as University of Manitoba's Students' Union, but it's
not all positive -- Sran was charged with possession of drugs two years ago.

The details of Sran's criminal record became public in a story in The
Winnipeg Sun on March 1 -- the first day of the union election --
followed by a story in The Winnipeg Free Press on March 2.

Sran's parole will end on May 1 -- the same day he assumes the role of
president.

"I was never associated with any of this. I was just at the wrong
place at the wrong time," said Sran.

In August 2003, charges were pressed against Sran. He was convicted of
possession of drugs under the Controlled Substances Act in May 2005
and spent the next four months in prison.

"I was convicted of a possession charge," said Sran. "I had to plead
guilty to a possession charge."

The other charges pressed against Sran at this time and confirmed by
the Winnipeg Police Service included possession of one kilogram of
crack cocaine, 1.4 kilograms of cocaine, a sawed-off shotgun, and
almost $20,000 cash.

Sran was also implicated in a drive-by shooting in August 2003, but
charges were dropped when his confession was deemed to have been
improperly attained.

"It's never been an issue before," said Sran. "I knew that it was an
issue that could come up, but the way it did was totally shocking to
me."

Sran says that most of what is published in those articles is
false.

He has since contacted The Free Press and The Sun and he is seeking a
legal opinion about what was printed.

Sran says he would prefer not to discuss specific details mentioned in
The Free Press to avoid spreading further misinformation.

"It was a part of my past. I did pay my debt to society," Sran
said.

He also says he has sought to give back to the community, particularly
through his school involvement.

Sran dismisses rumours that he was going to kill his campaign
opponents.

"I've never had possession of a gun or held a gun," said
Sran.

He says students should feel welcome to speak with him about anything,
even his past.

"It was a hard time in my life," he said. "I don't want this to
reflect badly on me, so this is what students are going to have in
their mind."

Constable Jacqueline Chapup of the Winnipeg Police Service has handled
numerous inquiries from the case from people both against and on his
campaign.

She explains that Sran was only convicted on a single charge of drug
possession.

Rachel Heinrichs, Sran's campaign manager, says that his criminal
record is a thing of the past when he won the presidency with 70 per
cent of the popular vote.

"I think students have shown that they're capable of being skeptical
of media information and that they can look at it and extract the
truth -- because, obviously, they overwhelmingly chose Garry to be
president," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin