POLICE FOCUS IN THE WRONG PLACE

To the Editor:

When I read the article in NDN titled "Ten charged in drug probe"
(Page 1, Tuesday, November 28, 2006) I couldn't help but notice a few
interesting facts...

Sgt. Bank, the officer behind "Operation Vista," says that
investigating cocaine is harder and more time consuming than
marijuana. Cocaine is not some magical substance...it is trafficked
like any other drug. What Sgt. Bank is really saying is that it is
easier to bust a pot user because generally they are compliant and
harmless whereas cocaine dealers might be dangerous.

What this boils down to is cowardice on the part of the
police.

They would prefer to bust people dealing harmless drugs like cannabis
and let the dangerous drugs run free. They shed crocodile tears over
meth and cocaine when they aren't willing to make hard drugs a priority.

Sgt. Bank, has in previous statements to the press, said that there
were three businesses involved in the operation. To date, only Holy
Smoke has ever been identified by name to the general public. Why?

I would like to make it clear that Holy Smoke Culture Shop has never
sold cocaine. These media manipulations always seem to imply that we
are involved with cocaine. We believe in the sacredness of cannabis
and have never promoted, sold, used or possessed cocaine. Our store
is a temple. I myself have never even tried it and probably never
will.

Three out of the 4 arrests at Holy Smoke were people who turned
themselves in, willingly without fear. One was an illegal arrest.
Not one of these people is dangerous...yet the cops will pronounce
themselves triumphant over the drug trade. Organized crime will
merely laugh!

Make cannabis the lowest priority for policing, spend your money on
hard drugs investigations (even if it means you have to work harder)
and stop scapegoating cannabis users for promotion.

Come on guys!!!

Dustin Cantwell

Holy Smoke Culture Shop