DRUG BUST SPARED LOCAL TAXPAYERS

An undercover police operation that led to the recent arrest of two
alleged top drug dealers in Kamloops came with the financial backing
and expertise of the RCMP's E Division headquarters.

In a show-and-tell this week of the booty snatched up in a month-long
investigation - including baggies of heroin and cocaine, cash and a
semi-automatic handgun - Insp. Yves Lacasse noted not one Kamloops
taxpayer dollar was used to pay for the operation.

All the money came from Vancouver's E Division, as did assistance in
co-ordinating the use of police officers from outside Kamloops to go
undercover.

Lacasse would not comment on what roles the officers played, but had
plenty of praise for the work they did, which eventually led to the
arrest of two men and one female teenager.

"It's not easy to come to a community and infiltrate people at that
level," said Lacasse.

Police allege the two men arrested, Tsai-An Hsieh and Travis Jordan
Jackson, were high enough in the chain that their capture has meant
the dismantling of one criminal group, at least for the time being.

"I'm pretty confident there is no one within this one group selling
drugs right now," Lacasse said, adding he could not say whether they
are associated with organized crime.

Police are, however, certain the pair was involved with supplying a
significant amount of cocaine and heroin on the streets, so much so
that their arrests will be felt.

In the month-long investigation, undercover cops purchased cocaine,
heroin and a semi-automatic handgun, the latter bought for $3,500.

"During the course of the investigation, we learned these people were
willing to sell weapons to our undercover operators," Lacasse said.
"We jumped at the opportunity. It means one less weapon circulating
through the streets of Kamloops."

He promised police would continue to target the drug trade, but
wouldn't say whether a similar undercover tactic would be used again.

It was an expensive operation, the cost of which police would not
reveal.

However, Lacasse added, it was worth the expense.

"These operations are not cheap, but they are cost-effective. To get
this type of result, we're very happy."