Pubdate: Wed, 24 Jan 2007
Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU)
Copyright: 2007 The Gazette, a division of Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274
Author: Paul Cherry, Montreal Gazette

STREET GANG MEMBERS FOUND GUILTY

In a case believed to be the first of its kind in Canada because it 
targeted a street gang, five drug traffickers who controlled a street 
in Montreal North were convicted of gangsterism.

Bernard Mathieu, 35, his two top lieutenants and two other men were 
convicted of at least four charges each in a trial heard at the 
special courthouse on Gouin Blvd., built years ago to handle the 
Hells Angels megatrials.

But in delivering his verdict on Wednesday, Quebec Court Judge 
Jean-Pierre Bonin said there wasn't enough evidence to convict five 
other men who were also charged with gangsterism, or committing a 
crime for the benefit of a criminal organization.

The controversial section of the Criminal Code was amended in 2001, 
making it much easier for prosecutors to prove an accused committed a 
crime with a criminal organization. The five drug dealers found 
guilty of gangsterism Wednesday face a maximum sentence of fourteen 
years for the gangsterism conviction alone. They were also found 
guilty of conspiracy, and two counts of trafficking in cocaine and crack.

Fifteen men faced charges in the case yesterday and all were 
convicted of at least drug trafficking either in cocaine, crack or marijuana.

Sentencing arguments in the case begin on Thursday.

Clemente Monterosso, a lawyer who represented some of the men in the 
case said they plan to appeal.
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