HELICOPTER, GUNS SEIZED IN CROSS-BORDER DRUG BUST

Lower Mainland criminals used a $600,000 Aerospeciale Astar helicopter to
smuggle marijuana into the U.S. Cocaine, handguns and other weapons may
have been brought into Canada on the return flights.

At a media conference held Tuesday morning by Langley RCMP, local,
provincial and U.S. officers outlined a two-year international
investigation that netted booty including the Astar 350 helicopter in the
U.S. In Canada the list includes two Mercedes Benz cars, a 1996 Ford truck,
a speedboat, $480,000 in U.S. currency, $104,000 in Canadian bills, three
kilograms of cocaine worth about $120,000, two loaded handguns, several
shotguns and rifles, four Tazer stun guns, two crossbows and an assortment
of stolen goods including motorcycles.

In both Canada and the U.S., officials have seized the purchased goods
under proceeds of crime legislation.

Langley detachment spokesman Cpl. Garry Begg said the investigation began
when a Canadian currency exchange reported large currency transactions, a
requirement under Canadian law.

The investigation was begun by the RCMP Integrated Proceeds of Crime
Section, and over two years included Langley RCMP, the Organized Crime
Agency of B.C., the United States Customs Service and other police forces
including Abbotsford City and Delta Police officers.

The investigation, code-named Operation Norfolk, ranged from Abbotsford
(where the helicopter was based) to Surrey in Canada, and in the United
States from the remote Mount Baker area where the helicopter landed on
numerous occasions, to residences and hotels in Bellingham.

Five Canadians and nine Americans have been arrested. The Canadians were
arrested last week, but in at least one instance one had been arrested last
summer, both by Langley RCMP and U.S. Customs officers.

On June 17, 2000, local police picked up a number of people in possession
of 30 pounds of marijuana. On June 23, 2000, U.S. Customs arrested one
Canadian (the same man Langley RCMP busted six days earlier) and four
Americans with 21 pounds of marijuana, in Bellingham.

Some of the accused are associated with a motorcycle gang.

On Sept. 10, when Organized Crime Agency officers and Abbotsford City
Police searched an Abbotsford house, a known member of an "outlaw
motorcycle gang" was present. Police seized $250,000 in U.S. currency,
$104,000, 20 pounds of marijuana, one kilogram of cocaine, two loaded
handguns and other weapons. From a vehicle in the yard the police seized
another two kilograms of cocaine.

Begg said arrests in Alberta may be possible. He also said the suspects
arrested were "one small cell" of a criminal organization.

"We know we have a huge job."

Rodney Tureaud, special agent with the Department of Treasury, U.S. Customs
Service, said his officers had worked co-operatively with Canadian police.

"I'm encouraged. This is the best working relationship I have seen
anywhere. . not just (international). I'm talking about local, state (and
federal) co-operation."

Tureaud said the helicopter had been based at an Abbotsford home, and flew
to a remote logging road area near Mount Baker. Capable of carrying a
1,000-pound payload, the U.S. Customs officers seized the helicopter and 85
pounds of B.C.-grown marijuana in December.

The investigation began in June, 1999, when U.S. Customs officers arrested
a Canadian and an American, at Squalicum Harbour in Washington. They were
in the process of dismantling a B.C. registered pickup truck. They also had
32 pounds of marijuana. During the investigation, residential and cellular
numbers of a Canadian were discovered.

On July 8, 1999, Langley RCMP and E Division Proceeds of Crime officers
were advised that a Washington State man and two Canadians were
"laundering" money at a B.C. currency exchange. One of the Canadiansturned
out to be the owner of the phone numbers U.S. officials found at Squalicum
Harbour in June.

Begg said some of the suspects blend in well with the general population.

"It is a normal family home (the house of a suspect couple in Surrey) in a
normal subdivision. Just normal people."

Begg said that while some cocaine was coming into Canada, it did not appear
to be a pound-for-pound exchange.

The Canadian suspects have been released and will not be named until
charges are laid.

Charges pending include trafficking, possession for the purpose of
trafficking, conspiracy to traffic and conspiracy to export narcotics and
possession of property obtained through crime, said Sgt. Randy Elliot, of
the Organized Crime Agency of B.C.