INTERNATIONAL DRUG SMUGGLING RING SMASHED

Lower Mainland criminals used a $600,000 Aerospeciale Astar helicopter
based in Abbotsford 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 on Tuesday 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., and in Canada two
late-model Mercedes cars, a 1996 F350 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.

The investigation, code-named Operation Norfolk, ranged from Abbotsford 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. 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.

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 Canadians
turned 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.