BIG BUD BUST

Local RCMP Makes Historic Drug Seizure In Central Labrador

The RCMP scored a major victory in the war against drugs recently
with the seizure of over 13lbs of marihuana. It marks the single
largest drug bust of that kind in Labrador's history.

As part of an on going investigation members of the Goose Bay and
Sheshatshiu detachments stopped a vehicle traveling east on the Trans
Labrador Highway on the night of Saturday, Feb. 17. Inside the
vehicle, officers discovered the large quantity of they believe to be
high quality marihuana.

In a press release, the RCMP noted that they believed the drugs were
bound for "aboriginal communities both locally and on the coast of Labrador."

Cpl. Keith MacKinnon told the Labradorian that the substance, which
was not grown locally, has an estimated street resale value of
approximately $118,000 locally. But he notes that on the coast, where
prices for a single gram of the illegal substance can reach as high
as $50, the resale value of the entire shipment is somewhere in the
area of $290,000.

[Name redacted], the driver of the vehicle, was arrested and has
since been charged with possession of marihuana for the purpose of
trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The
30-year-old Goose Bay man will appear in court on Apr. 30, 2007.

While pleased with the seizure and the precedent of consequences it
sets for anyone considering entering or continuing in the drug trade,
the RCMP admit there are still dangerous drugs available in the
surrounding communities. They cite ecstasy, crack, and particularly
cocaine as being prevalent substances being used in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

However, they are glad to have taken the equivalent of 17,700
marihuana cigarettes "from the hands of potential users."