DRUG CHARGES RISE 27 PER CENT FOR '09

Drug charges rose by a significant 27 per cent in the North Eastman
region last year, Lac du Bonnet RCMP announced this week.

Staff Sgt. Glen Reitlo said the region's drug problem is not getting
worse - the increased number of charges is due to increased
enforcement.

The Lac du Bonnet detachment now has an officer dedicated to
investigating the region's drug problem. Recent high-profile drug
arrests have included a major grow-op bust last October.

Police executed a search warrant under the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act on the former home of the Elma Hotel. Two suspects were
taken into custody and over 700 marijuana plants in various stages of
growth, as well as grow equipment, was seized.

The investigation follows a separate investigation into another grow
operation where a search warrant was executed in the early morning
hours of Sept. 30, 2009. Nearly 200 marijuana plants were seized as
well as a quad and grow equipment.

The street value of the marijuana seized in this investigation is
estimated at nearly $200,000.

"It's a major change in focus for us," Reitlo told the Leader this
week. "It's a problem we take very seriously and the number of charges
last year shows that."

Forty-two drug charges in a single year is significant for the region.
In 2006 and 2007 combined, there were only 39 drug charges laid.

The Lac du Bonnet RCMP detachment area includes the town and RM of Lac
du Bonnet, LGD of Pinawa, the RMs of Whitemouth, Alexander and
Reynolds, and the Whiteshell Provincial Park.