TEAMING UP: SIMCOE UNIT FIGHTS DRUGS

'People Are Getting Organized ... There Are Substantial Marijuana
Growers In This Area'

Rick Barnum has the type of job that means long hours, many of them
spent waiting for something to happen. And when things do happen, they
usually make headlines.

Barnum heads the Huronia Combined Drug Unit and his work takes him on
the road throughout central Ontario.

He has been battling drug dealers for eight years. Barnum, a
Detective-Sergeant with the OPP, worked in narcotics in Kingston, Ottawa
and Kenora before moving to Simcoe in 1998.

The job has many highs and lows. While some days can be frustrating and
tedious, there are others when it all comes together and makes the
effort worthwhile. It is particularly satisfying to see a drug dealer
sentenced to prison for a long time, he says.

The team formed unofficially in 1995. However, the participating police
services saw the unit was getting results and it received a dedicated
commitment a couple of years later.

Working Together

"It was a trial thing. It didn't have official commitment or dedication
- now everybody's in," Barnum explained. He points out the team members
are briefed on all drug-related cases, which ensures there is no
overlap. By working together they can share information as drugs move
around. Team members also get specialized training in drug
identification, surveillance, undercover work and expert-witness
training.

Orillia Participates

The team has representatives from the OPP drug squad in Orillia, the
Barrie Police Service, South Simcoe Police, Peterborough Police Service,
and each of the four area OPP detachments. The exact number of officers
on the unit is kept secret so as not to tip off the criminal element.
The officers work full-time for the unit although they will occasionally
be pulled off by their service to assist with an investigation.

The unit was the first of its kind in Ontario and now there is a similar
type service in western Ontario. "They've embraced our concept," said
Barnum.

A permanent task force helps everyone in the province because it allows
information to be shared with all enforcement agencies. He hopes the
joint team concept will be the future of drug enforcement in this
province.

Growers Targeted

The unit conducts investigations throughout central Ontario, which
includes Simcoe County, north to Muskoka and east to Peterborough. "At
any given time, it's safe to say there are anywhere from five to 20
investigations ongoing. They are reasonably complex. We're never without
work."

Barnum explained the unit focuses on the growers and processors. "In
particular, we deal with the higher levels. We're looking at organized
crime."

The unit completed several major investigations last year, including one
dubbed 'Project Network'. The 12-week investigation in Barrie last
summer resulted in numerous charges and seizures. The team also did an
undercover operation, 'Operation Blue Sands', last summer in Collingwood
and Wasaga Beach, targeting street-level users. They made arrests and
seized 'Special K', or Ketamine, a chemical powder used by vets as a
tranquilizer for small animals. It's popular among young people and acts
as a depressant.

"It's a real downer," said Barnum, who added new narcotics are showing
up regularly.

Officers must stay current on these new drugs that are hitting the
streets, but they must also educate those in the legal system when
attempting to secure convictions.

"It's harder to catch, harder to enforce. We find when new drugs come to
town, it's quite a challenge." Crime Stoppers is one source of
information for the unit. Barnum estimated anonymous tips from the
'crime-line' helps solve 30 to 40 cases a year.

However, informants provide the drug busters with the most help.

Informants

When selecting new members for the unit, an officer's ability with
informants is key. "The lion's share of the work is from informants.
People think we use only one or two, but we have quite an extensive
number."

Generally each informant is useful on one or two cases. Once the
information comes in, the investigation is only beginning. All the
information must be corroborated. Once the team has enough information
and evidence, a justice of the peace is approached and a search warrant
obtained. Then the team moves in for the arrests.

Stiff Sentences

Last year, close to 500 people were charged with various drug-related
offenses.

"That's a lot of court time," said Barnum. "We're enjoying good support
from the courts," in regards to stiff sentences given the traffickers.
"The system is pretty fair."

While there are fewer people growing marijuana, those who do are into it
in a big way. A seizure in Rama netted police 10,000 plants. "People are
getting organized. They're putting it all together. There are
substantial marijuana growers in this area."

The numbers support Barnum's claim that the team is a success in
battling the drug barons and street soldiers. In 1997, it brought in
almost $18 million in drugs. In 1998, the number climbed to $20 million.
In 1999, the haul was $34 million. And in 2000, the unit seized $42
million in illegal drugs.

"We think the program is working," said Barnum.