MONTREAL - A trial may begin soon for a woman accused of misusing her position as a border agent.
Marilyn Beliveau, 31, is one of several people charged with corruption, gangsterism, accepting bribes and taking part in conspiracies to smuggle drugs into Canada.
Beliveau's case has been dragging on since November 2006, when dozens of mobsters were arrested as part of Operation Colisee, which netted 700 kg of cocaine and $2.5 million in cash and assets.
Beliveau was out of the country when the sting happened, but surrendered to border officials in December of that year.
Her lawyers are trying to have the case thrown out, arguing that a five-year delay between being arrested and the commencement of a trial is too long.
She was one of two border agents arrested and charged with aiding and abetting a drug smuggling operation.
Beliveau, who used to work for the Canada Border Services Agency out of its Place D'Youville office, allegedly was able to ensure containers could enter Canada without being searched.
The other agent was Nancy Cedeno, who would pre-stamp customs cards so drug couriers could go through customs without being searched.
In 2009 Cedeno, was found guilty of corruption for her role in helping a drug-smuggling ring, however she was acquitted of seven other charges, including racketeering, conspiracy to import drugs and gangsterism.
Cedeno was not sentenced to serve any time behind bars.
Those decisions are being appealed, and Quebec's Court of Appeal has ordered a new trail on several of the charges.
