AUSTRALIAN DRUG BUST PROMPTS RCMP PROBE

Mounties Aim To Uncover Canadian Links

VANCOUVER -- RCMP in British Columbia are investigating any links to
drug-smuggling activities in Canada after five Canadians were arrested
in Australia after the seizure of more than 100 kilograms of cocaine
concealed in computer monitors.

Five Canadian citizens and an Australian-New Zealand dual citizen were
arrested Wednesday after police raids across Brisbane and the nearby
Gold Coast resort strip, in what Australian police are calling the
country's fifth-largest illegal drug seizure.

The drugs allegedly left Canada in a cargo container from Deltaport
and hidden in computers.

The 135 kilograms of cocaine are worth $29-million. Another
$2.9-million worth of ecstasy tablets were also seized from a
warehouse during an X-ray check by customs officers in Brisbane.

RCMP Corporal Pierre Lemaitre said the department was contacted by
Australian police two months ago to assist with the
investigation.

"The ownership of the file is in Australia," Cpl. Lemaitre said. "If
we're ready with charges of an offence taking place on Canadian soil,
that's when we'll release information."

Cpl. Lemaitre said the operation is a form of criminal intelligence
and RCMP contribution to the investigation continues.

"Certainly it raises interest in our case for the RCMP as to what type
of criminal activities are taking place here," he said.

"Common sense dictates we are interested to know if these individuals
are involved in other activities here on Canadian soil."

Australian police said the arrests followed a tipoff from Canadian
authorities and more raids are expected in Canada.

The shipment was Australia's second seizure from Canada in four
months. More than 1.2 million ecstasy tablets were seized in June and
four men were arrested.

The six men arrested Wednesday appeared in courts in Brisbane and
Sydney yesterday. They each face sentences of life imprisonment and
the equivalent of more than $700,000 in fines.

One of the Canadians, of Abbotsford, was
denied bail and did not enter a plea when be appeared in Brisbane
court. His lawyer Peter Shields told the court he is a
father of three who was on vacation in Australia.

The Australian who was allegedly to take delivery of the drugs,
was ordered by a Sydney magistrate yesterday to remain in
custody until his court appearance next week. He entered no plea.