POLICE CRACKDOWN NETS 286 DRUG CHARGES

No one's claiming victory in the war on drugs, but Calgary police say a
two-week crackdown has helped put a dent in street-level dealing downtown.

Uniformed officers working with drug unit detectives charged 102 people
with 286 offences, and seized mainly crack cocaine and marijuana during the
operation.

At the end of May and beginning of June, police targeted known "hot spots"
such as the East Village and Century Gardens, and areas identified by
business owners and police intelligence.

"We were able to effectively impact a lot of the drug dealing and the drug
activity in the area," said Insp. Dan Jahrig, commander of downtown's
District 1.

Investigations targeting organized crime groups and criminals who supply
the drugs are just one part of ongoing police efforts, said Staff Sgt.
Trevor Daroux of the drug unit.

The demand for drugs spawns crime committed by addicts looking to support
their habits, and the recent police operation, dubbed Safe Streets, was
aimed at stemming the violence and property crimes associated with the trade.

"People are coming to these areas because they know where the supply is --
we have to take that out as well," Daroux said.