LILLOOET RCMP FOCUS ON ILLEGAL DRUG ABUSE AND SALES IN 2010

Success In Addressing A Community Concern

Don't sell drugs in our community. That is the message that the RCMP
wants drug dealers to hear.

In discussion with various individuals, groups and community leaders
as part of our strategic planning process we learned that many people
had concerns about drug abuse and the selling of illegal substances in
the community. Early in 2010 the detachment made the enforcement of
drug laws and decreasing drug abuse in the community a priority for
the year.

During the spring local officers investigated several residential
homes that for various reasons seemed suspicious to the police.
During the first six months of the year five search warrants were
obtained to search homes believed to be either selling dope from the
house or being used to grow marijuana.

In total, officers seized 735 live marijuana plants, approximately 15
pounds of dried marijuana, hash, drug paraphernalia and stolen
property. Several individuals associated to these properties are now
facing charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

During the summer months the detachment focused on areas and
individuals that were growing marijuana in outdoor locations. Various
locations, mainly in remote, scarcely populated areas within an hours'
drive of Lillooet, were checked.

Officers located and destroyed 29,000 plants in various stages of
growth at several different locations. This was a record number of
seized plants for this area.

With the support of officers from the Southeast District General
Investigation Section special funding was obtained to focus a project
on those individuals in Ashcroft, Cache Creek and Lillooet who were
selling cocaine. An undercover officer was brought into these
communities for several days at the end of November.

Without difficulty, the undercover police officer purchased various
amounts of cocaine seven times from local people. Four different
individuals are now facing charges of trafficking a controlled substance.

As a result of making two purchases from one individual a search
warrant was obtained for a residence on Fraserview Street. On November
24 several officers attended the home and located a small quantity of
cocaine, several items of drug paraphernalia and money. A local man
and woman were both arrested at the house. The woman is facing two
charges of trafficking in a controlled substance and possession.

The Detachment continues to try to address the concerns that the
community has regarding the production and sale of illegal substances.

The RCMP will keep working with the people of Lillooet, and the
surrounding area to help them build safe and healthy neighbourhoods.