NORTHERN POLICE NOTE INCREASE IN VIOLENCE IN ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE

Two recent murders have been linked to the illegal drug trade and RCMP
report an upsurge in assault and weapons charges related to enforcing
drug debts and territorial disputes.

"It is part of what always goes on, but any time it becomes more
violent in nature, the serious crimes unit takes notice, and, yes,
they have been busy in that regard lately," said Prince George RCMP
spokesman Const. Mike Caira.

Fort St. John RCMP have also noted a stronger drug current in the
Peace region.

Two recent undercover operations resulted in 88 individuals facing a
total of 125 charges.

"We had some incidents here, it was something we noticed," said Sgt.
Terry Jacklin of the Fort St. John RCMP.

"It was some debt collections happening. Of late, it seems to have
cooled off, and that may be because people are minding their Ps and Qs
or we just aren't hearing about it."