POLICE SEIZE $1 MILLION IN 'DRUG MONEY'

Vancouver police stormed three houses and recovered almost $1 million in
alleged drug-trafficking money last week.

It was the culmination of a three-month sting operation that landed eight
people in jail and dealt a blow to Vietnamese organized crime, Const. Sarah
Bloor said yesterday.

"We've significantly impacted a [drug] pipeline," she said. "This has put a
huge damper on their criminal activity."

The trail began in May with the seizure of $4.5-million worth of pot from a
truck carting B.C. bud through eastern Canada, across the American border
and down to Dallas, Tex., she said.

Clues in that investigation led police to the three homes on the 6700-block
Raleigh Street and the 2900-block East 42nd Avenue and East 43rd Avenue.

There, they seized $900,000 in cash, five vehicles worth about $250,000,
110 kilograms of packaged marijuana worth $625,000 and a loaded .32-calibre
handgun.

Two houses had hidden rooms designed for the sole purpose of hiding money.

"There were secret compartments in the house that literally had boxes of
cash in them," said Bloor.

When police arrived, one man tried to flee the scene carrying $30,000, but
was arrested later.

In all, eight were arrested -- five men and three women.

Charged are: [NAMES DELETED].

All are residents of Vancouver. Their ages range from 28-54.