DRUG TRADE CRIPPLED?

Kamloops RCMP are confident they have crippled the cocaine and heroin
trade in Kamloops with the arrest of two key operatives in a local
criminal organization.

The arrests occurred last Thursday night in the parking lot of the A&W
Restaurant in Valleyview, following a transaction of drugs and weapons
with undercover police officers.

The RCMP's emergency response team swooped in and made the
arrests.

"Our investigation shows these people were currently heavily involved
in the drug trade in Kamloops, and definitely a part of the upper
echelon," RCMP Insp. Yves Lacasse said yesterday morning, moments
before showcasing the police seizure of drugs and a nine-millimetre
semi-automatic handgun.

Ten police officers, including undercover agents, were involved in the
covert operation, which began on Feb. 12. During a one-month period,
undercover RCMP officers purchased cocaine, heroin and a
semi-automatic weapon from local drug traffickers.

Lacasse said the amount of drugs seized was significant.

Included was five ounces (140 grams) of cocaine, valued at $10,000,
and 13 ounces (364 grams) of heroin, valued at $52,000.

To underscore the value of what police seized, Lacasse said drug
experts estimate the 13 ounces of heroine would have been enough to
satisfy an addict for five years, with the actual street value of the
drug pegged at about $110,000.

"This is going to cripple the availability of cocaine and heroin in
Kamloops," said Lacasse, with addicts in town finding most of their
supply has been taken away.

Police know others will try to come in to fill the void and that's why
they will continue with targeted operations like the one they've just
completed.

"There is a demand. That's why it's a constant battle," said
Lacasse.

In addition to the drugs and the handgun, police seized $3,500 in
cash, jewelry, a safe and miscellaneous items during their
investigation. Two of three individuals arrested and charged are adult
males.

One is Tsai-An Hsieh, 28, who police allege is residing illegally in
Kamloops. Lacasse said Hsieh is from Taiwan, originally in the city on
a student visa to attend Thompson Rivers University.

They believe he's been in Kamloops for two years.

Hsieh faces one count of trafficking heroin.

The other male, 24-year-old Travis Jordan Jackson, also of Kamloops,
faces four trafficking charges and one weapons-related offence.

A third individual, a 17-year-old female, is facing a single count of
transferring a nine-millimetre semi-automatic handgun.

All three remain in custody.