LARGE BUST OF ECSTACY IN CALGARY WILL HAVE LITTLE LOCAL IMPACT

Ecstacy Isn't As Popular In Lethbridge As It Is Elsewhere

It's sure to put a dent in the provincial supply but Lethbridge police
don't expect to see any fallout here from the biggest seizure of ecstasy in
Alberta's history.

Alberta's Integrated Response to Organized Crime unit says 213,000 tablets
of the drug, with an estimated street value of $4.25 million, were seized
during a June raid in Calgary.

The probe began eight months ago when officials learned a huge drug
shipment was coming to Calgary from Vancouver.

No announcement was made at the time, as the investigation had not wrapped
up. A 32-year-old Calgary man was recently arrested in connection with the
raid, which also netted $25,000 in cash, a semi-automatic rifle, body
armour, two stun guns and a high-capacity magazine containing 19 rounds of
ammunition.

Sgt. Mike Ballman, of Lethbridge regional police, said the raid didn't
likely create ripples here as ecstasy isn't nearly as popular as it is in
bigger cities.

"It is here but very minor in quantity," he said Wednesday. "We have a few
minor seizures but from users, not sellers."

While it's often just a matter of time before crime and illicit drug trends
make their way down from larger centres to smaller ones, Ballman isn't
expecting a big spike in ecstasy here.

"A lot of it could be culture. Rave parties and other large gatherings are
where you quite often see it and we don't see a lot of that here."

Police say the tablets seized in Calgary contained traces of
methamphetamine, making the drug even more addictive.