Pubdate: Fri, 23 Jun 2006
Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU)
Copyright: 2006 The Gazette, a division of Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274
Author: Paul Cherry
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers)

MOTHER-DAUGHTER TEAM HELD IN CUSTODY

Project Cleopatra; Suspected Ringleader 'High Risk' To Commit New Crimes: Crown

A mother and daughter team accused of drug trafficking stood shoulder 
to shoulder yesterday as they appeared in court to face charges they 
were part of a million-dollar smuggling ring.

Sharon Simon, 48, and her daughter Annie Arbic, 21, were among 12 
people who appeared before Quebec Court Judge Micheline Dufour in 
Laval for the first time since being arrested in Project Cleopatra, 
an RCMP investigation so named because its main target is considered 
a powerful, wealthy woman in Quebec's criminal underworld.

Dufour ordered Simon and Arbic held in custody until a bail hearing, 
scheduled for July 5.

Simon, a Kanesatake resident, is alleged to have run a vast smuggling 
network that shipped 40 to 50 kilograms of marijuana, as well as some 
ecstasy, to the U.S. per week.

"According to the evidence we have, (Simon) lived this life daily, 
without holding down another job. We estimate she represents a high 
risk to commit another crime. Plus, there is the nature of the 
charges," federal crown prosecutor Christian Jarry said, outlining 
his objections to Simon's release.

Both mother and daughter appeared relaxed in the prisoners' dock. 
They smiled as they quietly consulted with defence lawyer Jean Daniel 
Deboski. And as Arbic headed back to her holding cell, she smiled and 
blew kisses to a group of young women seated in the courtroom.

Also appearing before Dufour was Pascal Leclerc, 27. Jarry opposed 
his release, as well; Leclerc was ordered held in custody.

When the RCMP raided Leclerc's home in Ste. Therese on Wednesday, 
they discovered a secret room with a door that could be opened only 
by remote control. The Mounties found a small stockpile of firearms 
in the room.

The RCMP alleged that Simon has close ties to several members of the 
Hells Angels in Quebec. While no member of the outlaw motorcycle gang 
was among the 36 arrested Wednesday, details emerged yesterday to 
indicate the gang was associated with the network.

According to an RCMP source, a "full-patch" member of the gang was 
found inside Arbic's apartment in Laval when the Mounties went 
knocking early Wednesday.

Also, Carl Thomas, 44, a former Memphremagog police officer arrested 
in Project Cleopatra, once testified in court in support of a member 
of the Hells Angels' Sherbrooke chapter.

Thomas, a member of the Eastern Townships police force between 1994 
and 2000 appeared in a Sherbrooke courtroom yesterday along with nine 
other people arrested in Project Cleopatra. They were all ordered to 
remain in custody until Wednesday.

Simon and most of the people who appeared in Laval yesterday face a 
conspiracy charge that encompasses four criminal acts; trafficking, 
possession of marijuana with the intent to traffic, possession of the 
proceeds of crime and money laundering.

Thomas also faces a similar all-encompassing conspiracy charge in Sherbrooke.

Simon and Thomas face other charges, including one accusing Simon of 
committing crimes for the benefit of a criminal organization, or gangsterism.

Some of the other people arrested were released after agreeing to 
make a $5,000 deposit and agreeing to several conditions, including 
that they keep away from a money exchange counter on St. Laurent 
Blvd. in Montreal.

Simon is alleged to have laundered $4.8 million U.S. in less than 
five months through transactions made at money exchange counters.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman