ORGANIZED CRIME, DRUGS TO BE FOCUS OF NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT
TEAM

New Glasgow - There's A New Law Enforcement Team Coming To Town.

Its focus: drugs and organized crime.

The seven-person integrated anti-crime enforcement unit will have
members from all four local municipal police forces and the RCMP,
said New Glasgow Police Chief Lorne Smith.

Originally, the county's police forces made a proposal to the
province for a four-person drug squad. With even more members, the
unit can also focus on organized crime and criminal intelligence, said Smith.

The province announced on Thursday that each municipality in Nova
Scotia will received at least one new police officer by spring 2008,
paid for by the province.

Pictou County District RCMP Staff Sgt. Ross Landry said the use and
distribution of illicit drugs and the organization of criminal
activity have become major problems in the county.

"We're working together to fight back for the community," he said.

Smith said the unit will probably be based out of New Glasgow Police
Services where there is the most room. He said when the funding kicks
in on April 1, 2007, "we'll be ready to hit the ground."