GUN SEIZURES RISE WITH DRUG BUSTS

Calgary drug dealers -- armed with loaded guns and other deadly weapons --
are being arrested at a record pace, say concerned police.

Narcotics cops have stepped up enforcement on drug houses and well-known
dealers and are finding an alarming number of weapons concealed in cars,
under clothing and in bags.

Specially trained tactical team members are being deployed to secure drug
houses in anticipation of violent confrontations.

"You're (the criminal) a nervous, scared, untrained person with a gun in
your hand and waiting for someone to kick the door in," said Staff Sgt.
Roger Chaffin, commander of the Calgary police drug unit. "The chances of
(them) letting a round go, even by mistake, is high."

Moreover, both police and justice experts are at a loss to explain exactly
why this trend is on the upswing.

"It could be one of two things: it could be the criminal element is aware
police are doing more enforcement and are arming themselves," said Doug
King, chairman of justice studies at Mount Royal College. "Alternatively,
it could be that (police) are finding more weapons because of the increased
enforcement."

On Monday, undercover police officers making a crack cocaine buy busted
four men in a car.

During the search of the vehicle, a 9-mm handgun loaded with 14 rounds of
ammunition was found under the front seat.

Chaffin said the find was not unusual, saying there is a growing thread
between drug busts and weapons offences.

"Everybody carries weapons," said Chaffin.

"They didn't have these guns here to light their cigarettes. It was there
to protect themselves and potentially kill someone with. For a drug dealer,
killing you is just the cost of doing business."

"Our officers expect to find a weapon every time they do (a bust)," said
Chaffin.

Statistics compiled by the Calgary Police Service show a significant
increase in weapons and drug offences over the past two years.

By the end of July, police had recorded 536 weapons-related offences -- 66
more charges than the same time last year and 93 more than in 2000.

A whopping 1,236 drug offences were recorded for the same period, 188 more
than last year and an increase of 430 in 2000.

One man arrested by officers earlier this month was packing a set of brass
knuckles, a knife, a machete and pepper spray. He was busted at a local
dance club in possession of illegal drugs.

The threat of potentially deadly encounters between officers and drug
dealers has changed the way police raid suspected drug houses.

"We get tactical (team) officers to do all of our entries because of the
threat of weapons and violence," said Chaffin.

"In the drug unit, we see (the weapons) over and over again. I don't put
(undercover officers) into positions where they can be misinterpreted for
bad guys because the opportunity for disasters is always there."

Chaffin said the threat of law enforcement isn't the only reason criminals
are packing weapons.

Hydroponic marijuana growing operations -- often set up in rental
properties -- are guarded by armed crop sitters.

"The reality of the day is that those weapons are used not so much for us
coming, but for the threat of other people coming to take their product
from them," said Chaffin, "especially organized crime groups. It's not
uncommon for them to do this as a money-making venture -- go rip off a grow
house or a cocaine stash. They come armed and violent."

Most of the guns police have seized have been stolen and can be traced back
to other provinces.