COPS SIEZE $120K OF DRUGS IN 'COMPASSION' RING BUST

Dozens of large bags filled with pot and mushrooms were displayed by
North Vancouver police yesterday after busting a dial-a-dope operation
on a tip from Crimestoppers.

The sophisticated ring called itself a compassionate association that
provided - at a cost - drugs to sick people. It had more than 1,000
clients, for whom it provided menus and even issued receipts.

RCMP Cpl. Marlene Morton said yesterday that so-called compassion
clubs are illegal in Canada and that there are legal ways to obtain
medical marijuana.

"The trafficker was selling the drugs for recreational use, not for
medical use," Morton said.

The confiscated drugs have an estimated street value of about
$120,000.

Four of the 13 people arrested face various drug-related charges and
will appear in court on March 26.