POLICE SEEKING TIPSTER'S IDENTITY

Police are seeking the author of an anonymous letter that contains
information about a three-year, cross-border drug and money laundering
investigation.

The unsigned letter was received two years ago during the course of the
investigation, which has already netted six convictions and the seizure of
more than $250,000 in vehicles, gold and money.

"As far as we're concerned we've got the major players, but not all of the
players," said Insp. Rick Reynolds, of the RCMP's integrated proceeds of
crime division.

Police wouldn't release any details of the letter, the post-mark of which
was obscured, but noted that from the information it contained, it is
obvious the author was close to the operation.

"Everything has been done to identify the person who wrote this letter and
this is our last chance or our last hope," said Sgt. Gerry Good, of the
Regina Police Service, who was also involved in the investigation.

Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call the RCMP
at 780-8129.

Five Saskatchewan residents, all from Regina and Moose Jaw, and a former
Saskatchewan resident living in Texas have been convicted in Saskatchewan
and the U.S. on various charges including drug trafficking and possession
of the proceeds of crime.

They include Dallas Warner, 42; Perry Engleman, 37; Larry Cross, 52;
Richard Hetherington, 42 and Kathy Oberkirsch, 34.

Melbourne Haddad, 59, served a 22-month sentence in a U.S. federal prison
and has since been released.

The group sold marijuana and cocaine smuggled from the U.S. and Mexico into
Saskatchewan, then laundered the money through a variety of methods
including converting the cash to U.S. funds and buying real estate and
vehicles.

Police did release the details of the goods and money seized after the
investigation, which included the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Internal
Revenue Service south of the border.

The haul included gold coins and rings, four vehicles, a recreational
vehicle and boat and almost $60,000 in American cash.

Reynolds said the bust was not one of the largest made, but it was
significant because of its international nature.

"Anything that we can take away from them hampers their ability to
operate," he added.