CHARGES COMING IN HUGE CROSS-BORDER DRUG OPERATION

After a two-year investigation, a cross-border drug-running operation has
gone up in smoke, with part of the dust - and ash - settling on Abbotsford.

A co-operative effort between the Organized Crime Agency of B.C., Langley
RCMP, B.C. RCMP's international proceeds of crime unit and the U.S.
Customs Service has resulted in 21 people facing a raft of charges.

Those facing charges are both Americans and Canadians, including at least
one from Abbotsford.

Charges include trafficking, possession for the purpose of exporting,
conspiracy to traffic, laundering the proceeds of crime, possession of
restricted and prohibited weapons and possession of property obtained
through the proceeds of crime.

As part of the ongoing investigation, more than $2 million in merchandise
was seized under Canada's proceeds of crime legislation, including a
helicopter from Texas, a $400,000 Surrey house, two Mercedes-Benz cars and
a speedboat.

In addition, 310 kilograms of marijuana (worth about $1.7 million on the
streets) were seized, along with three kg of cocaine (worth about
$120,000), weapons, stolen property, $104,000 in Canadian funds and
$480,000 U.S.

As for Abbotsford's contribution: a Sept. 10 raid at an Abbotsford home by
the Organized Crime Agency of B.C. netted $250,000 US, $104,000

Cdn., one kg of cocaine, nine kg of pot, two loaded handguns and other
weapons. Another two kg of coke were seized from a vehicle parked in the yard.

At the time of the September raid, a member of a Calgary outlaw motorcycle
gang was in the house, noted Sgt. Randy Elliott, the agency's media spokesman.

In fact, according to investigators, Abbotsford's connection became clear
on Aug. 22, after agency members saw two men leave an Abbotsford home in an
Astar 350 helicopter.

The plane then flew to a remote logging area near Mount Baker, where two
large duffel bags and a small one were taken from the helicopter and loaded
into a vehicle with Washington State plates.

The vehicle proceeded to a Bellingham home where the cargo was dropped. As
the vehicle left, Bellingham police stopped it and found a Surrey resident
behind the wheel. And, when police went back to the house they found 39 kg
of marijuana.

As for the Abbotsford helicopter, Elliott said it is likely still in the
Abbotsford area. "This is certainly not a regular drug operation,"
commented Elliott. "This isn't your run-of-the-mill amateur drug operation
S put a couple pounds (of weed) in the car and drive across the border.
This was a highly organized group, using the latest technology, expensive
equipment."

For example, the helicopter contained state-of-the-art navigation and night
vision equipment, he explained.

"(They) had a very significant, lucrative operation on the go."

Added Elliott, the investigation's outcome is thanks to the co-operation
between his group, U.S. Customs Service, Langley RCMP, the B.C. RCMP's
international proceeds of crime unit, as well as Canadian banks.

"That was crucial." Further arrests and charges are expected.