B.C. calls on Ottawa to tighten drug laws

Only federal government can make it illegal to possess chemicals used
to make drugs, Solicitor-General says

B.C.'s Solicitor-General is challenging the federal Conservative
government to do more to "close the loopholes" that allow criminals
to produce such destructive synthetic drugs as ecstasy and crystal meth.

Kash Heed urged Ottawa Tuesday to crack down on access to the
chemicals used to manufacture such drugs, saying only the federal
government can engineer the sweeping legislation required to make it
illegal to possess them.

"What [B.C.] can do within our powers, we're doing," he told
reporters at a news conference where the RCMP announced the outcome
of an 18-month investigation that saw the arrests of nine people
importing ingredients - two of them linked to Asian organized crime.

"What we cannot do is close the loopholes that allow criminals to
bring in precursor materials that could be turned into ecstasy, known
as MDMA, and other drugs that are allowing criminals to prosper while
our citizens suffer," said Mr. Heed, reading from a prepared statement.

"We need Ottawa to do that. We need Ottawa to have tougher controls
and tighter regulations on precursors in Canada."

During the news conference, police displayed two shotguns and four
rifles, thousands of dollars in cash - a total of $250,000 was seized
in the investigation - and compounds used to produce illegal synthetic drugs.

The RCMP are recommending various charges against the suspects - two
women and seven men - who have yet to be identified.

Superintendent Brian Cantera, officer in charge of the federal Drug
Enforcement Branch, offered some support to the minister, the former
West Vancouver police chief.

"Additional regulations on precursor chemicals and equipment utilized
to manufacture synthetic drugs would give police the tools we need to
keep these highly addictive and destructive drugs off our streets,"
Supt. Cantera said.

Mr. Heed saluted the work of the Mounties on the file.

"What I am not satisfied with is the fact that these precursors are
still available through these loopholes and criminal organizations
exploit those loopholes and, as a result, set up shop here in British
Columbia," he said.

The minister said his government has written to the federal ministers
of Health, Justice and Public Safety on the matter, but that
additional lobbying is required.

"We will be more vocal about what we need them to do to assist us to
destroy these networks," he said.

Mr. Heed outlined a number of necessary steps, including regulations
that allow for a quick response to changes in drug crime.

"We don't have two, three, five or even 10 years to wait. While we
review and examine, criminal gangs are importing, manufacturing and
selling millions of dollars worth of drugs that enslave people,
destroy families and ruin our communities," he said.

There was no response by press time from the regional office for
federal ministers in B.C.