B.C. GOVERNMENT GOING AFTER PROFITS OF CRIME

Proceeds of crime legislation is "coming soon to a provincial
government near you," B.C. Solicitor General John Les told a joint
annual general meeting of B.C. Liberal riding associations Tuesday.

He said the legislation, "which will enable us to seize the assets of
people who have gained those assets through criminal activity," could
be tabled as early as next week.

"The onus will be on the person whose assets we're going after to
prove those assets were not gained through criminal activity," he said
about the legislation.

The minister acknowledged there is no provincial strategy yet to
combat the "ubiquitous" crystal methamphetamine problem in B.C.
communities, but he listed other steps the government is taking,
including hiring an additional 300 RCMP officers and urging the
federal government to tighten up import regulations.

He said 100,000 kilograms of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, two
ingredients of crystal meth, are imported into B.C., but only 30,000
Kg goes for legal uses like cold remedies, leaving 70,000 Kg
unaccounted for and presumably in criminal hands.

"There's no other requirement (for the drugs) we're aware of," Les
said.

B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner also spoke at the joint meeting
of the Chilliwack-Kent and Chilliwack-Sumas constituency associations,
and endorsed off-shore oil and gas drilling to boost government
revenue and reduce the province's reliance on foreign suppliers.

He noted there has been no "significant" environmental damage reported
by U.S. oil and gas rigs in the Gulf coast despite two major hurricanes.