DEALERS TARGETED BY DETACHMENT

Drug issues continue to be the biggest threat to the health and safety
of the community.

Salmon Arm RCMP Staff Sgt. Kevin Keane emphasized this point when
delivering an update to city council Monday.

"When you look at it from other priorities, such as youth, traffic,
the increase in property crime, it seems to be at the core of
everything," said Keane.

Keane said the detachment has made several high-profile arrests and
that is going to be the norm.

"Down at the shop, we're starting to get a little mean-on these days,
we're starting to get angry about it. We just don't tolerate anybody
anymore who kind of flaunts it."

Part of the detachment's recent success is attributed to new recruits,
who Keane said are learning techniques normally associated with
specialized units.

"They're developing their skills in creating search warrants, which is
not an easy task, and drug warrants are flowing almost weekly," said
Keane, who also credited other detachments that have been active partners.

"We don't have the resources to do it alone, but when we pool it we
seem to get the job done," said Keane.

The detachment is focusing on two targets, hard drugs and marijuana
grow operations. Keane noted the latter are not mom-and-pop
operations, but are typically linked to organized crime.