SEIZED PROPERTY IN CRIME INVESTIGATION WORTH WELL OVER $100,000

SYDNEY - Vehicles, flat-screen televisions, a backhoe, even a washer
and dryer. Those items are among the property seized by a joint RCMP
and Cape Breton Regional Police investigation that resulted in the
laying of the first organized crime charges in Cape Breton history last week.

The police agencies provided a photo opportunity of the items for
media at the RCMP's Grand Lake Road detachment Tuesday. They also
included a barbecue, boats, a Sea-Doo, computers and cash, but Insp.
John Ryan, RCMP federal operations support officer, said they aren't
able to provide a figure for the value of the property.

"We're still assessing that, but it's well over $100,000," he said.
"The investigation is ongoing so it's difficult to put a dollar figure."

The joint force charged 16 people after several searches and arrests
Thursday as part of a nine-month investigation of a group believed to
be trafficking cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana.

Ryan said it's believed some of the eight vehicles seized were used
in the commission of crimes. Other property is believed to have been
purchased with the proceeds of drug trafficking. The integrated
proceeds of crime section will apply to the courts for the forfeiture
of the property, Ryan said. He added they don't have to wait for
charges laid in the matter to result in criminal convictions in order to do so.

Police are continuing to look for two others who face charges in
connection with the investigation.

Figures for the amounts of drugs or cash seized weren't available
Tuesday. Ryan said it's difficult to compare the most recent seizure
with other busts. In other cases, there were much larger quantities
of drugs seized, but the focus of this investigation was to dismantle
a criminal organization, he said.

Operation H-Tactic began in the fall of 2009. Along the way
investigators discovered the group organized shipments of drugs to
Sydney from Montreal and Halifax. They were then distributed to local
traffickers throughout this region.

Charges range from conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, marijuana and
ecstasy, to trafficking in a controlled substance, possession for the
purpose of trafficking and participation in a criminal organization.
A number of those charged have since been released from custody on
conditions after posting sureties.

Most of the group was based out of the Sydney area, and according to
police, are not associated with outlaw motorcycle gangs or similar
groups. However, they did have contacts in Montreal and Halifax.