MAN ARRESTED IN CROSS-BORDER DRUG PROBE

Suspect Faces Extradition Hearing On Drug Charge

A 35-year-old Victoria man was arrested and his residence searched
Thursday by RCMP officers acting on behest of the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Agency.

Douglas James Sharples is awaiting an extradition hearing to the U.S.
on a charge of importing crystal meth. He is expected to appear in
Victoria provincial court today for a first appearance and scheduling
of a bail hearing.

The charge follows a year-long, covert investigation involving the
Internet, undercover operators, members of the RCMP's Island district
drug section, Victoria police and the DEA, based in Newark, New Jersey.

"This kind of thing is quite extensive and with the use of the
Internet, which is an indicator in this file, we're starting to see a
lot of...files that are crossing the borders," said Cst. Beth
Blackburn of the RCMP's federal drug section.

"I think you're going to see an increase in enforcement initiative by
the RCMP," said Blackburn.

She wouldn't confirm that Sharples was using the Internet to sell
crystal meth, but would only say the Internet played a role in his
alleged activity. The length of the investigation is typical for those
spanning the border, said Blackburn.

"It's quite a unique thing and obviously these kinds of operations
take a long time to gather enough evidence to lay charges...and when
you're dealing with international (agencies), it's even more difficult."

Authorities in the U.S. often ask for assistance from Canadian police
when they're looking for a suspect in Canada, said Lyse Cantin,
spokeswoman for the Department of Justice.

"That happens in all cases of extradition," said Cantin from her
Vancouver office "While he's been charged (in the U.S.), they've asked
Crown counsel in Canada to represent them here in Canada and that's
how it proceeds."

Cantin wasn't familiar with the details of the investigation, saying
"It's kept very, very close to the chest (by police) because obviously
the person becomes a flight risk the second that something is out
there saying someone is looking for them."