RCMP TARGET HOTEL DRUG TRADE

Lloydminster Meridian Booster -- Lloydminster drug dealers are trying
to find a more hospitable place to do business, and evade local law
enforcement in the process.

Sgt. Ken Marchand of the Lloydminster RCMP said there has been some
drug dealing going on out of some hotel rooms in the Border City, but
wouldn't say it was a crime that's on the rise.

"It's a cat-and-mouse game," said Marchand. "We catch wind of deals
going on from residents and we start doing our investigation, and
they move on. They move into a hotel room where they figure they are
not under the spotlight."

Marchand said drug dealers are becoming aware hotel rooms are another
place to do business, but said the RCMP have it on their radar. He
said it's no different than seeing odd activity at all hours of the
day at a private residence, only in this case the odd activity is
taking place in a hotel.

"Drugs and police, crime and police -- it's like putting a finger in
the dike," said Marchand. "As soon as you plug two holes one pops
open. So, if you put some pressure on a residence or on a particular
group of individuals who are known to several residences, for every
action there is a reaction. We act, and their reaction is to move."

The best way to deter activity like this, or drug activity in
general, is for the public to be vigilant, said Marchand.

"We ask our good citizens to phone and let us know if anything
suspicious is going on," he said. "This is something we extend to
hotel owners and staff -- if something doesn't look right it probably isn't."