VICTORIA'S TOP COP VOWS TO CATCH DRUG DEALERS

Drug Dealers Be Warned: Your Days Are Numbered.

Victoria police chief Jamie Graham is out to get you.

"We will continue to target those who infiltrate our communities and
undermine everything decent we stand for," said Graham.

"Drugs and violence go together, that's why we are targeting the most
violent dealers."

Last week, police seized $300,000 worth of drugs after 100 officers
raided six suspected drug trafficking locations in the Capital Region.

The two-month-long case involved eight police organizations making it
the South Island's largest co-ordinated investigation.

The bust eliminated a possible 1,800 drug deals from Victoria
streets, said Graham. In less than 90 days, Greater Victoria police
departments have taken more than $1 million worth of illicit drugs
out of the system.

From the search warrants executed in Victoria, Esquimalt and three
in the Westshore area, two kilos of cocaine, 32 grams of heroin, 125
ecstasy pills, 615 grams of crystal methampetamine and 1,099 grams of
marijuana were confiscated. No firearms were found.

Eight Island men, between the ages of 21 and 37, face charges related
to drug possession and trafficking. They will make their first court
appearance June 25.

Police saw the drugs being transported from the Lower Mainland to
mid-level dealers before trickling down to users around Streetlink
and the 900 block of Pandora Street, said Const. Conor King, Victoria
police drug expert.

The men charged are not "card-carrying gang members," King said, but
as in all illegal drug dealings there are common threads.

"Although they might not be recognized on a gang organization chart
they are intermingling with, [and] conducting business with gang
members," he said.