CRACK BUST WINNIPEG'S BIGGEST

Hot T.O. tip led to arrest at bus depot, say cops

Winnipeg police have recorded their biggest crack cocaine bust -- but
it likely will do little to stem the increasing flow of the highly
addictive and dangerous drug into the city.

Acting on information from Toronto sources, officers picked up a
20-year-old woman at 7:15 a.m. yesterday as she arrived in the city by
bus. A search of the woman's luggage revealed 22 ounces of crack
cocaine, bundled in one-ounce packages, said Sgt. Rick Lobban, of the
police street-gang unit.

"It was a substantial seizure. One of the biggest I can recall," said
Lobban.

The crack cocaine has an estimated street value of $60,000. It was
bundled in cellophane and sealed in a Tupperware container. The
container was wrapped in duct tape and more cellophane, then concealed
inside a paper bag saturated with vegetable oil.

"They do that to try and throw off a dog," said Lobban.

The female courier -- who has connections to a Winnipeg street gang --
faces charges of possession of a controlled substance for the purposes
of trafficking. She was released on her own recognizance and a promise
to appear in court.

Crack cocaine was almost unknown in Winnipeg a year ago, but it is
rapidly making inroads into all levels of society, said a street source.

"It's all over the place," he said. "It's crossing all ethnic and
economic lines. "It seems everybody is turning to crack. It's becoming
a lot more popular with people of all ages."

QUICK HIGH

Law enforcement officials are concerned by the growing popularity of
crack cocaine because it is more addictive, and therefore harder to
kick and more dangerous than ordinary cocaine. Crack cocaine goes
through more stages of processing than regular cocaine and is smoked
rather than sniffed or injected.

Addicts like crack cocaine because it gives a quicker high than
regular cocaine. But it's not the only illegal drug showing up in
greater amounts in the city.

Last month, vice officers seized 110 grams of the designer drug
crystal meth as a 22-year-old East Kildonan man arrived in the city by
bus. The crystal meth had an estimated street value of $27,000.