STOLEN GOODS THAT FED HABITS MADE FOR SORROWFUL SIGHT

The spoils of a double-whammy crack-shack bust in south Vancouver were
laid out on folding tables in a Vancouver Police Department garage
yesterday afternoon.

Stolen goods recovered in raids on two neighbouring "drug-trafficking
residences" in the 1200-block East 63rd Avenue looked like a flea
market assembled from a mess of sorrow and loss.

Police believe the crack shacks, at 1226 and 1238 East 63rd, were in
operation for a year. They say goods stolen from homes and businesses
in the surrounding neighbourhood were exchanged for crack cocaine,
hash, marijuana and ecstasy.

Acting on tips from exasperated neighbours, the VPD sent 40 officers
in on Friday night to bust the operations and arrest and charge the
seven occupants, one of whom owned the two drug bazaars. They have all
been charged with drug-related offences.

Police seized $6,000 worth of drugs, $2,000 in drug money and over
$30,000 in stolen property, along with stolen identification and
credit cards. They also recovered $85,000 worth of butter.

That's right, stolen butter.

Calling it a "pretty significant" bust, VPD Const. Sarah Bloor said
these houses were creating "an atmosphere of fear" within the
neighbourhood and were frequented by known gang members and their
criminal associates.

"In order to pay for their habit, they commit the crime," she said.
"We do have the ring leader in custody."

What people will steal and trade to feed their drug habits would
surprise many readers of The Province. On display yesterday -- and
police are seeking the public's assistance in identifying the
recovered property -- were hedge trimmers, tents, barbecues, saws, web
cameras, kids furniture, high-end rims and tires, a $5,000 diesel
generator, six bottles of White Diamond eau de toilette, cellphones,
skis, ghetto blasters, power tools and golf clubs.

All this stuff belonged -- belongs -- to somebody. It made for a
woeful sight, spread out across the bay of the police garage.

"If you can believe it, we even have oil, buckets and buckets of motor
oil," said Bloor.

Twenty-three sealed buckets of 15W-40, to be exact.

The $85,000 in butter bricks were bought over the phone with stolen
credit cards, said Bloor.

"We hit the motherlode there," said one undercover Street Crime
Enforcement Unit member, stifling a chuckle.

"The butter deal, we believe that was going to the South Slope
restaurants to be sold on the black market," added Bloor. It has since
been returned to Dairyland.

If you have been burgled or robbed in south Vancouver in the past
year, police are asking that you contact them on a dedicated phone
line (604-717-3349, ext. 4444).

You won't find justice, but you might get your leaf blower back.