POLICE MAKE $500,000 DRUG BUST

Seizure Means Safer Streets, Say Officers

The cocaine and cash seized by police are easy to count -- the impact
of getting the drugs off the street is more difficult to measure.

Nevertheless, investigators from police District 4 in the city's
southeast said Tuesday that seizing five kilograms of cocaine destined
for the streets will prevent an untold number of assaults, robberies,
burglaries and other crimes spawned by drug addiction.

"Everything we do is fuelled by that white stuff," said Det. Paul
Wozney, pointing to five duct-taped, one-kilogram bricks of cocaine
displayed by police.

Although marijuana seizures continue to outstrip cocaine in dollar
value, cocaine offences and other crimes tied to cocaine use have
begun to exceed those related to marijuana.

By the end of October 2006, Calgary police had recorded 1,032 cocaine
offences, compared to 832 involving marijuana.

In 2005, police recorded 1,300 cocaine-related "drug incidents" --
cases where drug use, possession or impairment was a factor -- and 966
involving marijuana.

The drugs seized Friday were found along with $10,000 cash, capping a
five-month investigation by Wozney and Det. Mark Hatchette.

The district commander, Insp. Rob Williams, said the cocaine could be
worth up to $500,000 if sold in one-gram portions.

"You could have 5,000 buyers," Williams said.

"We feel very thrilled we've taken this cocaine off the
street."

Five people have been charged with drug-related offences in connection
with Friday's bust, which began when investigators stopped a vehicle
and found two kilograms of cocaine.

The discovery led police to get a search warrant on a home in the 3200
block of Doverthorn Way S.E.

In addition to the drugs and cash, police seized cellphones, measuring
scales and two vehicles, a 1999 Infiniti and an older BMW, considered
proceeds of crime.