COPS BUST INTO WRONG SUITE

A police mistake during 17 drug raids in Edmonton yesterday sent a pregnant
woman to hospital with an injured wrist and sore stomach, cops said.

Police executing search warrants on three suites in the walk-up Hilton
Manor apartment at 10633 111 St. barged into the wrong room, said RCMP
K-Division Staff Sgt. Richard Hobson.

"My understanding is that she had heard noise while our members were in the
building. They had opened the door while she was opening the door," he said.

The woman - in the late stages of her pregnancy - was immediately taken to
hospital for observation, and was expected to be out last night, said Hobson.

"It was deemed a mistake by the members that were going into this complex,
and this definitely was the wrong apartment."

The woman had absolutely nothing to do with the drug-trafficking ring
police were targeting, Hobson said.

Justice Minister Dave Hancock said the error was unfortunate during what
were otherwise successful raids in the city, along with three raids outside
Edmonton.

"My sympathies go out to her. Some of these situations can be very
dangerous," said Hancock.

Seven people were charged yesterday with conspiring to traffic cocaine.