MANDATORY SENTENCES FOR TRAFFICKERS REINTRODUCED

Drug-Dealing Linked To Organized Crime To Carry One-Year Prison Term

Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson reintroduced Criminal Code
changes Friday to give mandatory minimum sentences to drug
traffickers linked to organized crime.

Nicholson made the announcement at RCMP headquarters in Vancouver
after a meeting with the regional chiefs of police and senior RCMP officers.

"If drug trafficking is carried out for organized crime purposes, or
a weapon or weapons is involved, the offence would carry a one-year
mandatory prison sentence," Nicholson said.

"And if the drug is sold to youth or trafficking takes place near a
school, or an area normally frequented by young people, the sentence
would be increased to two years."

A similar law was on the books last fall until Parliament was
dissolved for the Oct. 14 election.

And with rampant gang and gun violence turning heads in Metro
Vancouver, Nicholson said the changes are necessary and timely.

"The safety and security of Canadians remains our most important
responsibilities and we believe that security is threatened by drug
trafficking and drug production. These activities lead to more crime,
more gang activity on our streets, and more risk to law enforcement
officers," he said.

Nicholson said the new law "is not intended to further punish those
who are addicted to drugs" who can choose drug courts and treatment over jail.

Liberal critic Ujjal Dosanjh said his party supports the mandatory
sentences, but is concerned the Tories are not putting any new money
into preventative measures, despite claiming they don't intend to
punish addicts.

"They say that people have the option of being sent to drug courts
and the drug courts would have the option to send them for treatment,
but they allocate or provide no additional dollars for the drug court
or for treatment facilities," Dosanjh said.

"They are not even spending the crime prevention money that they
allocate every year."

The bill includes a two-year mandatory sentence for running a large
marijuana growing operation of 500 plants or more and would increase
maximum penalties for pot production from seven years to 14 years.

"The people who are bringing drugs into this country -- importing
drugs or exporting drugs -- we know that these people are connected
to gangs or organized crime, so we are sending out a very clear
message to them. They can expect jail time if you are importing drugs
into this country," Nicholson said.

Nicholson said the sentencing changes are part of a bigger strategy
to combat organized crime.

"This is exactly what we think this country needs," he said.

RCMP Asst. Commissioner Peter German said he appreciated talks this
week with both Nicholson and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

"Drugs are obviously the root cause of what we are dealing with here
in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. All efforts to stem the
flow of drugs and deal with drug offenders are appreciated," German said.

Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu said Nicholson listened to "the
frontline concerns of police officers who are on the streets battling
the gang violence."