COQUIHALLA BRINGS DRUGS TO MERRITT

Though drug trafficking in Merritt is nothing new, RCMP say they are
concerned with new trends in the way business is being done here.

There has been a recent increase in violence related to the drug
trade, said Const. Tracy Dunsmore in a press release.

"Being located along the Coquihalla Highway and 97C has its
advantages for those doing business that relies on customers stopping
in Merritt to have a break, gas up, eat or even wander around
downtown," she said. "Unfortunately, it also attracts those who come
to town for other business purposes."

Crack cocaine is the most heavily distributed illegal drug in
Merritt, and violence associated with trafficking is on the rise.

Dealers who have been identified from the Lower Mainland, Okanagan
and Kamloops often set up shop for a few weeks in local hotels and
motels, said Dunsmore.

Local police have investigated "numerous complaints" related to drug
dealing over the past few years, said Dunsmore, and have been
successful in identifying, charging and even having dealers banned
from the community.

But with numbers of dealers increasing lately, police are looking for
more help from the public.

Information such as descriptions of clothing, license plates, and
other details can be useful for police when investigating possible
drug deals, assaults, or other drug related activities.

"Other programs like Block Watch and Citizens on Patrol are ways that
community members can watch their own neighbourhoods," said Dunsmore.

Further information on prevention initiatives can be found at the
Community Policing Office at 2013 Quilchena Avenue.

Anyone with information about these or other crimes can call local
RCMP at 250-378-4262, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.