DRUG BUST RELIEVES PRINCIPAL

It may be only a minor pot bust in an otherwise quiet Eastern Passage
subdivision, but it has the principal of the local junior high school
smiling.

"I'm just thrilled," said Bernie MacIntyre, principal of Eastern
Passage Education Centre after learning about Thursday's raid on a
nearby house.

MacIntyre has fielded, and passed on, a number of concerns from
parents about drug use near the school.

The home on Shamrock Court searched by police Thursday night is close
to a well-used path leading to the school.

MacIntyre said he's got no proof any of his students were actually
going to the home, but he's relieved police took action.

"We've been hearing concerns from parents about it," he
said.

Around 7 p.m. Thursday, Halifax RCMP and Halifax Regional Police
Integrated Drug Unit raided 3 Shamrock Crt., arresting a 19-year-old
man for trafficking.

The man, who's identity hasn't been released by police, was released
on a promise to appear in court at a later date.

Police seized an undisclosed amount of marijuana, hashish, cash and
drug paraphernalia, including scales.

Neighbours told The Daily News they noticed a lot of late-night
traffic around the house, but said the occupants were quiet.

In recent months, Eastern Passage has seen a number of petty crimes
and nuisance complaints in the area.

RCMP Const. Peter Marshall said it's hard to link all the incidents to
illegal drug use, but knows that residents are concerned about some of
the issues affecting the community.

"This will certainly put minds at rest," he said.

Marshall was recently posted to Eastern Passage as the Community
Response Officer for the area.

Since then, he's worked with the community to address a number of
vandalism complaints and youth-related issues.

MacIntyre doesn't want people to think that crime is out of control in
the Passage.

"There have certainly been a few isolated cases," he said. "But you
always take notice and you are always concerned."