COPS CUT MAJOR COCAINE PIPELINE

Police say they've severed a major cocaine pipeline between Calgary
and B.C., responsible for trafficking more than $1 million worth of
the drug onto city streets each month.

Because the investigation is continuing, Insp. Shaun Gissing of the
organized crime unit wouldn't provide specific details but said two
significant and recent seizures allowed police to dismantle the operation.

"Through investigative tactics we were able to dry up the pipeline,"
said Gissing.

"Informant information has shown that this individual is no longer in
business."

Gissing said the seizures were made by an outside agency as part of
an investigative tactic to not tip off the trafficker as to what
information Calgary officers had gathered.

Gissing said the pipeline was responsible for trafficking between 20
and 50 kg of cocaine from B.C. to Calgary on a monthly basis -- 1 kg
is typically sold for $30,000 on city streets.

Cops say the cocaine was also being distributed to towns and rural
areas outside of Calgary.

The drug pipeline is another example of the interest of outside
dealers looking to capitalize on Calgary's economy, say police.

At the beginning of August, police in the organized crime unit became
aware of a B.C. presence in the city following a daylight shooting
that left one man injured outside Motel Village.

Through their investigation, police realized the victim, Hieu Van Le,
18, who was later charged in hospital with 11 weapons-related
offences, was from Vancouver.

Although the Aug. 8 shooting that left nearby diners diving for cover
was deemed drug-related, Gissing said there's nothing to suggest it
was connected to the dismantled pipeline.