MOUNTIES TARGET FLEDGLING DRUG LABS

Solicitor-general wants to close legal loopholes on possession of
drugs, machines

By John Bermingham, The Province

Mounties have begun raiding labs producing synthetic drugs even
before the pills get produced.

RCMP drug cops say the new tactic is already making a dent in B.C.'s
party-drugs trade.

At Vancouver's E-Division Tuesday, police displayed 14,000 ecstasy
pills, $250,000 in cash and seven guns they seized after busting a
drug operation in Richmond following an 18-month investigation.

Nine people, including two women, face numerous drug charges. Two are
linked to Asian organized crime, police said.

"This is a bust that is very significant," said Supt. Brian Cantera,
who heads the RCMP's drug-enforcement branch.

Cantera said the probe involved surveillance and undercover police
work, and was high risk and high cost.

Standing by his side, B.C. Solicitor-General Kash Heed said he's
asked the federal government to restrict the availability of
so-called "precursor chemicals" such as pseudoephedrine.

Right now, it's not a crime to possess large quantities of ephedrine
or pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in ecstasy production.

There are also no restrictions on owning pill-pressing machines.

Legal loopholes are a big reason why B.C. leads the country in the
illicit trade, Heed said.

"These illegal drug networks threaten the security of our communities
and must be absolutely destroyed," said Heed, a former top drug cop
in the Vancouver Police Department.

Heed has also demanded better background checks on all those who come
into possession of the chemicals, along with more federal inspections.

"What we can do within our powers, we are doing," said Heed. "What we
cannot do is close the loopholes."

Health Canada, which regulates precursors, did not respond to a
request for comment on the issues raised by Heed.

The United Nations recently singled out B.C. as a hub for the global
trade in synthetic drugs, such as ecstasy and crystal meth.

Gangs here import the ingredients from India and China, make the
pills, then ship them back to Asia or the U.S., the report said.

"Canada is an export country," said Chief Supt. Bob Harriman, deputy
criminal operations for the federal RCMP in B.C. He added that the
country ships half its output abroad.

Harriman promised more interception-style busts ahead as RCMP try to
interrupt the production before the pills are manufactured.

"Let there be no doubt that there is a strong offensive under way
against illegal synthetic-drug production and traffickers," he added.

Mounties link the Richmond bust to the recent seizure of 19 kilograms
- -- almost 400,000 doses--of ketamine, an animal tranquilizer.