RCMP CONDUCT SUCCESSFUL ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN

The results of a four-month campaign by the RCMP aimed at cracking
down on street level drug traffickers throughout the Northwest were
released on January 16, and the campaign is being deemed a success by
local RCMP officers.

From September to December, 2006, undercover officers purchased a
variety of drugs which included cocaine, marijuana, crack cocaine,
morphine and psilycobin from dealers in Prince Rupert, Queen Charlotte
City, Skidegate, Masset, Terrace, Kitimat, the Nass Valley, New
Hazelton, Smithers and Houston. All told the operation led to the
arrest of 53 different suspects facing over 100 charges, including 11
people facing charges in Prince Rupert, six in Queen Charlotte
City/Skidegate and four in Masset. As well as the undercover
purchases, detachment members executed 13 search warrants which
resulted in the seizure of additional drugs and two firearms. Over
$13,000 in cash was also seized during the operation, which was
spearheaded by the Prince Rupert North District Drug Section.

"The project went very well, there was a lot of hard work done not
only by our North District guys, but from the outlying detachments as
well. Everyone worked hard and as a result the project was very
successful not only with the number of suspects arrested, but also
with the number of charges," said Constable Jagdev Uppal with the
RCMP's Border Integrity Program.

"I think this sends a strong message. We want people that may think of
being involved in drug trafficking at the street level to beware
because you just don't know who that person is that you are selling
drugs to. It may be an undercover RCMP officer and you may be facing
charges of drug trafficking."