TEXADA COMPLAINS OF DRUG COPTER 'HARASSMENT'

TEXADA ISLAND - Helicopter sweeps across Texada Island by RCMP and Canadian
Forces personnel on the hunt for outdoor marijuana plantations have left
some residents crying harassment, says local politician Dave Murphy.

"I support what the RCMP are doing in trying to eradicate these plantations
but they have been using their helicopters to intimidate and harass
people," said Murphy, the island's representative on the Power River
Regional District.

The operation is part of an annual month-long eradication program that
includes the Gulf Islands, parts of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.

Two RCMP helicopters and 30 RCMP and municipal police officers supported by
two Canadian Forces Griffin helicopters based in Comox have been deployed.

RCMP Const. Beth Blackburn of the Nanaimo Drug Awareness Unit said about
500 suspected plantations have been identified throughout the area, most of
them on Crown land.

Murphy said he has been called by five residents complaining that
helicopters hovered low over their homes, frightening them with the noise
and swirling up dust.