TIPS LEADING TO MORE DRUG SEIZURES IN CALGARY

Drug seizures in Calgary have dramatically increased this year with
net totals jumping from merely a couple of million dollars to about
$14.5 million as cops see a spike in anonymous tips.

As of September 2008, police seized more than $2.3 million worth of
drugs, but so far this year that soared more than six times.

Police attribute the increases to larger call volumes to Calgary's
Crime Stoppers, which received 136 more anonymous tips from January to
September this year totalling 2,860, significantly higher than 2008's
number of calls, which totalled 2,724.

The increased number of Crime Stoppers re-enactments, including
high-profile cases, has also led to the spike in calls, which helped
in 76 arrests including gang-related ones, said Staff Sgt. Colin Chisholm.

"I firmly believe that the city is safer thanks to those that have
picked up the phone or visited the Crime Stoppers website to provide a
tip," he said.

Calls this year cleared 131 cases, netted 239 charges, and recovered
$30,635 worth of stolen property.