THEFTS FEED DRUG ADDICTIONS

Kamloops residents who think they're not affected by the city's drug
trade should think again, says Const. Cam Muir.

Muir, with the Special Projects Unit of the Kamloops RCMP, said
Tuesday most thefts in the city are caused by thieves looking for a
way to feed their drug addictions.

"Nine times out of 10, that's a result of the drug trade," said Muir.

Stolen goods taken from home or business break-ins or thefts from
vehicles are either traded for drugs or sold for quick cash to buy
drugs.

On Tuesday, police showcased about $10,000 worth of stolen property
they have in their exhibit locker. It represents only a small portion
of the tens of thousands of dollars in property the police seize
every year, said Muir, through search warrants from drug houses or
the arrests of individuals.

Items ranged in size and in value. The smallest was a gold necklace
and the largest a snow blower. Other items included cellular phones,
TVs, a computer, a portable CD player, three chainsaws and a couple
of boat motors.

Police have been unable to return the items on display to their
lawful owners because the stolen goods didn't have proper
identification. However, police hope to match up the items with
owners.

Police say they will only take calls from people who reported items
stolen at the time they went missing. As well, before anything is
returned, the owner must be able to identify it through some unique
identifiable marking or characteristic, whether it be an engraving or
scratches.

In addition to matching stolen items with people, Muir hopes the
display of unreturned stolen goods will get people talking about the
drug trade in Kamloops.

"I want people to take a more active role -- not tolerate drug
activity amongst people they know or in the community around them.
The drug trade flourishes in the darkness. As long as people turn a
blind eye to it, it will continue."

Items that aren't returned to owners are kept in the RCMP's exhibit
locker for about 60 days. After that, the goods become city property
and are eventually auctioned off with the money going into city
coffers.

Inquiries about the stolen goods on display on Tuesday should be
directed to Const. Muir at 828-3217.