LOWER MAINLAND GANG SURFACING IN SMITHERS

The Smithers RCMP have announced that they are now aware of a small
group of people in Smithers who have "openly flaunted their
association with Lower Mainland/Upper Fraser Valley organized crime
gang known as the Duhre Group," the police said in a statement on Wednesday.

The RCMP made the announcement while also pointing out emerging drug
trafficking trends in the area.

According to the RCMP, police have made an increased number of drug
busts, including seizures of cocaine and ecstasy.

"What has caught our attention ... is in addition to the known local
person who are currently involved in the illicit drug trade in our
area, whom we are actively investigating, we are seeing a new presence
attempting to establish themselves," said Smithers RCMP Sgt. Kirsten
Marshall.

The individuals with an association with the Duhre Group, according to
information from the Smithers RCMP, have displayed firearms and may
also be intimidating or threatening people.

"In their efforts to establish themselves, these criminals may lure or
recruit youths and young adults into participating in their illicit
activities and will distribute illegal drugs to youth and adults alike
in the community," said Marshall.

She said so far they have had excellent cooperation with the
community.

Marshall also pointed out that the RCMP are not trying to create fear
out of their announcement but rather to inform the public and to
generate discussion.

"Smithers isn't alone in experiencing this," she said, adding that
it's a trend seen all over.

But the RCMP will need the community's continued support to fight the
problem.

In addition to street level enforcement, the Smithers RCMP have
integrated programs such as Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education (DARE).

The Smithers RCMP do welcome questions from the public on this
matter.

As well anyone who has knowledge of drug trafficking in the community
or other criminal activity to call them at 250-847-3233 or call Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

According to reports in the Abbotsford News early in October, the
Duhre Group has been a rising presence in Abbotsford, taking advantage
of the vacuum left from the arrests of prominent members of the Red
Scorpions gang, including the Bacon brothers.

With files from Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News.