YORK POLICE LAUNCH $100M DRUG STING

Drugs Found Could Have Street Value Of $500M, Police Say

York Regional Police announced a $100 million drug bust this morning,
uncovering four storage units in Toronto and Markham that contained
chemicals for the production of ecstasy.

The operation is believed to be the biggest drug bust of an ecstasy
production ring in Canadian history.

Seven people have been arrested, most of them from the B.C. area, and
the case is still "active," according to Detective Don Cardwell of the
drug and vice squad.

He said the $100 million value of the drugs seized was "a low-ball
figure." The street value of the drugs could be as high as $500
million, he said.

David Barrow, chairman of the York Regon Police Services Board, told
reporters at the news conference that the arrests send a message: "We
will get you."

He said the continuing threat of drug labs in York Region is
"destroying our community, it destroys families and leads to other
crimes."

He also said the police need the help of tougher sentencing to deal
with drug dealers.