RCMP DENY U.S. CONSULATE CLAIM

The RCMP is denying a claim that the extensive Olympic security duty
compromised ongoing drug investigations.

A Feb. 12, 2009, classified memo by the United States consulate in
Vancouver, obtained by WikiLeaks, said: "A (U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration) agent was told by one of his RCMP counterparts that by
September all regional drug agents could be working on Olympics, with
no investigations ongoing until March 2010. Already the RCMP has all
but stopped marijuana-related investigations".

Const. Michael McLaughlin said the RCMP Drug Enforcement Branch
remained active despite contributing significant resources to the
Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit.

"We were still working on current investigations, still taking on new
cases, still answering the phones and still working on overtime when
required," McLaughlin said.

A request to interview Dep. Comm. Gary Bass, the B.C. RCMP commander,
was not fulfilled.

The memo from Consul General Phillip Chicola said U.S. officials were
working with VANOC and V2010 ISU "with an eye toward any possible
further assistance we can provide should the needs arise".

V2010 ISU Chief Bud Mercer said in November 2009 that he met quarterly
with U.S. Maj. Gen. Tim Louwenberg and Laura Laughlin, director of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation's Seattle office.

The U.S. State Department rented an entire floor at 1133 Melville St.
for its Olympic command centre because a 1995 Presidential directive
requires the State Department to protect American interests at
Olympics. The International Olympic Committee relies on American
sponsorship and broadcast fees.

WikiLeaks claims it obtained 44 Vancouver consulate cables and many
are Olympic-related.