TRAFFIC BUSTS POINT TO TRANS-CANADA'S ROLE AS DRUG CORRIDOR

Cochrane RCMP confiscated a massive shipment of marijuana during a
routine traffic stop on Sunday (Aug. 27), leading to the arrest of
two Ontario men now awaiting court proceedings.

The arrests occurred in the early morning hours just east of the Hwy
40 turnoff of the Trans-Canada Highway.

Police say 129 pounds of marijuana, prepared and ready for sale, was
discovered by officers at the scene with the assistance of a police dog.

The arrest is the second of its kind in the past four months. In May,
Canmore RCMP arrested a B.C. man for transporting $1.5 million worth
of cocaine. He was also stopped for a traffic violation.

RCMP Sgt. Patrick Webb said the Trans-Canada continues to serve as
the principle route for drug traffickers looking to move narcotics
from western grow-ops to eastern Canada.

"We have done a lot interception on the highway and the reason for
that -- it's not just that we're lucky -- it's because it's the
quickest route from B.C. to the other parts of Canada," he said.

The officer added the seizure of prepared marijuana is much more
significant, as 129 pounds of prepared marijuana would have a much
greater street impact than marijuana plants that have not yet been processed.

Asked whether police would be ramping up enforcement along the
highways, knowing the Trans-Canada is a major supply route, Webb said
officers would not ignore other areas, but would be more thorough
when investigating any stops they might make along the highway.

"The officers we have out there are aware there are drugs on the
route, and so when they make a stop, whether it be a routine stop or
whatever, they're always thinking about the next step," said Webb.
"That's the advantage of having RCMP officers, because they're not
just thinking about writing tickets."

Drug busts along the Trans-Canada Highway are becoming more frequent
as Calgary continues to grow and serve as a hub for local dealers.

Sunday's arrests come on the heels of last week's court adjournment
for [Name redacted], who was arrested for driving too slow in the
passing lane last May near Canmore and was found with 20 kg of
cocaine in his back seat. [Name redacted] is scheduled to return to
court on Sept. 13.

In the meantime, [Name redacted], 54, and [Name redacted], 33, both
of Ontario, are scheduled to appear in Cochrane court today (Aug. 31)
in relation to Sunday's seizure. They are charged with possession for
the purpose of trafficking.