POLICE CURB DIAL-A-DOPERS BY SEIZING THEIR VEHICLES

RCMP Charge, Take Wheels Of 5 Alleged Dealers In Past 2 Weeks

They might still get calls for dope, but some North Vancouver drug
dealers will find it harder to deliver as police crack down on
dial-a-dopers by seizing their cars.

In the past two weeks, North Vancouver RCMP have arrested and charged
five alleged street-level dealers, seizing not only their drugs and
money but their wheels. Thirteen charges were laid.

"Five arrests in the last two weeks -- we're pretty happy with that,"
said RCMP Cpl. Sue Tupper, who heads North Vancouver's crime
reduction unit. "With the first three arrests, we basically smashed
their drug line and disabled them ... at least temporarily."

Dial-a-dope lines operate much like a pizza delivery service.
Customers call a designated drug number and organize a meeting at a
specific location. The dealer then sends runners out to deliver the dope.

Tupper said police hope to put a dent in street-level drug crime by
hitting dealers in the pocketbook and making it hard for runners to
deliver the drugs.

"It's a pain for them when this happens," she said. "That's the
bottom line for them, the dollars."

In the latest arrest, Soroosh Nassimdoost, 26, was charged with
possession of a controlled substance and possession for trafficking.
Police also seized his leased Honda.

Three other cars were also forfeited to the Crown, while a fourth was
returned to the rental company that owns it.

Tupper said her team is targeting the dealers who supply to addicts
and users living on the streets. She said drug crime leads to an
increase in break-ins, theft from autos, mischief, robberies from
growing operations, shoplifting and car theft, as users try to find
cash to feed their addictions.

The drug money then flows up the chain to support criminal
organizations, leading to power struggles and violent gang wars, she said.

Crack cocaine, powder cocaine and heroin are the main drugs being
distributed in North Vancouver.

"It's pretty desperate. [Addicts] are fuelling drug lines by
providing money to them," Tupper said. "It's very lucrative."

When police arrested a 21-year-old dealer recently, he had $3,000 in
his pocket. Tupper noted some dealers will never walk away because
they like the lifestyle and the money, and in some cases, are in too deep.

But others are just dabbling in the trade. University students are
often pulled into dealing by a buddy, she said, while police recently
arrested a man in his 50s who started selling drugs after he lost his job.

She said some dealers are recreational users who may owe a debt to
their dealers and start selling drugs to repay it.

"These are the types of individuals you'll see get killed," she said.
"It's a deadly game for a gang member."

In a dial-a-dope operation smashed by police at the end of March,
police arrested three prolific offenders who had extensive records or
charges before the courts.

The dope line allegedly involved Matt Conley, 21, of Coquitlam, who
was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, breach of
probation and breach of a recognizance. David Scott Copeman, 36, of
Burnaby was also charged with possession for the purpose of
trafficking, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace and
on an outstanding arrest warrant.

The third arrest was of Kevin Valentyne, 21, of Coquitlam, who was
charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, breach of
bail violations, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace.

Police said they seized about $4,300, 60 grams of crack cocaine,
heroin, weapons, and two cars.

"We're keeping a lid on it. If left unaddressed, it would grow like a
cancer in the community," Tupper said. "You would see gang members
and drug dealers and addicts owning the streets."