RCMP OFFICIALS DENY KNOWLEDGE OF DRUG-FISH TRADE

OTTAWA -- The RCMP, saying it knows nothing about an alleged link in B.C.
between illicit drugs and the black market trade in illegally caught fish,
called on the department of fisheries and oceans Tuesday to share any
information it has on this activity.

A report released last week by retired judge Bryan Williams quoted one
federal fisheries officer who said it is "well documented within our agency
that those people are trading drugs for fish or fish for drugs."

But RCMP Sgt. Dave Goddard said Tuesday he was "astounded" to read about
the drugs-for-fish link.

"We have not heard of this type of offence going on or this type of
trafficking going on," said Sgt. Goddard, spokesman for the RCMP's Greater
Vancouver Drug Section.

"It may be well-documented within the department of fisheries, but it's
certainly not well-documented within the Mounted Police that there's any
trafficking going on with regards to fish for illicit drugs."

Federal fisheries officers, he said, should share this kind of information
even if drug-dealing isn't part of their mandate.

"I'm sure they are more interested in fishing-related offences, and if they
do have any type of illicit drug information, then yes, of course we'd be
very much interested in obtaining that information from them.

"And as to why they wouldn't forward that information on? Yeah, there would
be some concerns on behalf of the Mounted Police, that's for sure."

An official with the department of fisheries and oceans (DFO) wouldn't
comment last week on the matter, and DFO officials remained silent again
Tuesday.

The Williams report said there was extensive illegal sales of salmon in
B.C., which much of the salmon going to buyers in Alberta.

Douglas Cowan, a fisheries officer based in Salmon Arm, told panel members
the "fish black market is tied closely with the drug trade," according to
the report.

Conservative MP John Cummins, meanwhile, slammed the federal government
Tuesday for cancelling the second phase of Williams' study.