COCAINE BUST IN ALERT BAY

ALERT BAY - Police seized a "large quantity of cocaine" July 27 and
hope it is just the beginning, says RCMP detachment head Cpl. Ron Vlooswyk.

"Almost a pound of cocaine," with an estimated street value of
$27,000, was seized from a 35-year-old local man, said Vlooswyk. "We
seized a blue 2004 GMC Envoy for investigational purposes, held it for
about 24 hours, then released it.

"If a property is a proceed of crime, we can seize it and ask the
court for forfeiture ... that can apply to houses, vehicles and
property," said Vlooswyk. "A judge has to order forfeiture."

Although they have made the initial seizure and arrest, Vlooswyk said
the investigation is ongoing. "We want to see whether any other people
are involved, either working directly with this person or supplying
them," he added.

Charges of possession of cocaine and possession for the purpose of
trafficking were laid and the man's first appearance is expected Oct.
7 in provincial court in Port Hardy.

"This seizure is very large ... it would be a large bust for anyone"
and "it will have a tremendous impact on the small village of Alert
Bay and the people who live here," says Vlooswyk.

Drug use in the community is driving up other crime, says Vlooswyk.
"One problem we have is property theft, where people steal to buy
drugs," he said. "The carving shop was broken into and that was
probably to buy drugs."

Anyone with drug related information, or any other crime tip, is asked
to speak to an Alert Bay RCMP member, call them at 250-974-5544 or tip
Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

"Obviously we can't be everywhere, we rely on people to tell us what's
going on, so they should call us or stop us on the streets and talk to
us," urges Vlooswyk. "We need to stand together. We are stronger that
way, or divided we will fall.

"If people know about people coming to town with drugs, or a lot of
suspicious activity at one house, they should tell us about it," said
Vlooswyk. "Pretty much all the information we have on drugs comes from
the street."

Drugs and alcohol are major concerns for the four-person
detachment.

"Addiction is a big problem and people should stop using drugs and
alcohol," said Vlooswyk. "The community has put on community meetings
to discuss these problems and they have to continue to do that.

"We had the experts come in to talk about drugs, alcohol and teen
drinking because that's what the community says is a big concern,"
said Vlooswyk. "People have to come together on this."