RCMP SEEKS PUBLIC'S HELP TO BREAK UP DRUG-SMUGGLING OPERATION

FORT ST. JOHN - RCMP are seeking the assistance of the public in a
smuggling case. In November 2004, Canada Border Services Agency/Customs at
Vancouver International Airport located and seized more than 12 kilograms
of heroin which was brought into Canada by Indo-Canadian citizens involved
in drug smuggling, police said in a news release. Police said the heroin
brought into Canada by the accused was hidden in items such as:

- - wood picture frames approximately 8" x 10" x 1/2" with laminated
photographs on the front and a hollow center ;

- - hard-sided suitcases where heroin was placed in compartments between the
outside shell and inner liner of the suitcases;

- - other items such as shoes or boxes of Indian Sweets.

Police said the investigation has revealed other people within the
Indo-Canadian community have been approached by the drug traffickers to
bring items back with them on return flights from India. Some of the people
solicited to bring items back from India may have innocently transported
heroin for the people suspected of drug importation and may not have known
the true purpose of the persons requesting the favour until arrests had
been made in November 2004. The RCMP is requesting the assistance of
members of the Indo-Canadian community in identifying the persons
responsible for arranging the shipments of heroin to Canada. If you are
interested in assisting the RCMP investigation and have been either
approached to bring something back for persons suspected to be involved in
drug smuggling or know of persons who have been asked to do so, please
contact the RCMP border integrity unit at Vancouver International Airport
at (604) 264-3692.