COCAINE USE NOT LIKE THAT OF ALTA., B.C.

Alberta records its largest cocaine seizure in that province's history
while British Columbia battles crime networks smuggling cocaine into
that province from the United States, Mexico and South America.

While Regina is among Canadian cities that have experienced an
increase in cocaine, the Regina Integrated Drug Unit has not seen a
significant increase, a Regina Police Service spokeswoman said.

"There really hasn't been a change in patterns that we can tell,"
Elizabeth Popowich said, although she admitted there has been "just a
gradual increase in the past several years."

"Probably marijuana use is more prevalent (than cocaine)," she said.
"In recent years, I think what we've seen is an increase in cocaine
availability and so on -- an increase, but it's not the predominant
(drug)."

Even so, local police have undertaken a number of significant
investigations in recent years involving cocaine, including some
involving criminal organizations. According to details heard during
the recent sentencing of one member of The Crew, that gang was found
to be pulling in as much as $10,000 a night selling cocaine. Also
earlier this year, the RIDU announced it had laid charges against
numerous people in relation to 'dial-a-dope' cocaine operations, in
which drug deliveries are set up by cell phone. One release issued by
police in February said 26 people had been charged in relation to one
operation, with another 14 being sought by police at that time.

Last month, Statistics Canada reported offences involving cocaine and
other illicit drugs like crystal meth and ecstasy have been steadily
increasing across Canada. Between 1997 and 2007, police-reported drug
offences involving cocaine rose from 11,468 to 22,819.

While Saskatchewan's overall drug crime rate was the second-highest
among Canadian provinces, at 286 per 100,000, it was far below British
Columbia's rate of 653.7. Saskatchewan's rate of change from 1997 to
2007 was 39 per cent, a significant increase, but below B.C. and Alberta.

When looking specifically at Canadian cities, Regina, at 169.6 per
100,000, fell well below the national rate of 305.3. While Regina saw
a significant increase of 27.6 over the 10-year period, the city came
in with one of the lower rates among Canadian cities for
police-reported drug offences.

Popowich said police in Regina remain committed to combating drug
crime, despite the complication often involved in investigations.

"They're investigations that we pursue with vigour because these are
illegal substances and proven to be harmful," she said.