POLICE ARREST 127 IN CRACK CRACKDOWN

Greater Sudbury Police raided crack houses Friday as part of a
six-week investigation that led to the arrest of 127 people.

Nicknamed Project Cola by police, the investigation involved 15
officers from the drug, street crime, intelligence branch, biker unit
and uniform division.

At a news conference Friday afternoon, deputy police chief Frank
Elsner said the investigation was launched in response to a noted
increase in cocaine and, specifically, crack cocaine use.

"We're seeing an increased amount of drug activity within our
community," said Elsner.

"We're also seeing an increase in outsiders in our community, who
don't have a residence here, that we're stopping in the last year in
possession of drugs and weapons."

Elsner said criminals, some affiliated with gangs, are leaving the
Toronto area and moving their business North.

Of the 127 people arrested, one person was not a Sudbury resident,
although police have yet to connect any of the accused with gangs.

Police also received numerous complaints from area residents because
crack houses were operating openly in their neighbourhoods.

"It was a street-level project," said Elsner.

"And so a lot of users were arrested and with that came a lot of
weapons and stolen items. There are a substantial number of people
charged with (drug) trafficking."

While police believe some crack houses are closed for business, they
are now trying to determine where, or from whom, the drugs originated.

"Did we get some suppliers? Absolutely, sure we did," said
Elsner.

During the course of their investigation, police targeted 10 crack
houses across the city and the Memorial Park and Elgin Street areas.
One known crack house was the subject of numerous complaints by
neighbours and police have visited the spot more than 40 times this
year alone.

Elsner said a lot of police time was spent visiting the home. That
specific crack house - Elsner would not say where it was located - is
no longer operational.

In all, 127 people were charged and 469 criminal charges were laid.
Drugs seized include 177 grams or $17,700 worth of cocaine, 80 grams
or $12,000 worth of crack cocaine, 18,804 grams or $180,804 of
marijuana and various other drugs such as oxycodone, ecstasy,
morphine, percocet, clonazapam, psilocybin and cannabis resin.

Police also confiscated $25,500 in cash, $11,700 in counterfeit money,
a sawed-off shotgun and 11 flick knives.