HUGE COCAINE BUST SUNDAY

Langley RCMP made the largest cocaine seizure in recent B.C. history,
after a Quesnel man crashed his car through the Pacific Highway border
crossing and was arrested in Aldergrove on Sunday evening.

Police discovered 149 kilograms (327 lb.) of packaged cocaine in a
rented car. The street value of the bricks of cocaine seized is
estimated at more than $12 million.

"It's no doubt linked to organized crime," said police spokesperson
Cpl. Dale Carr. "It's only organized crime that has that kind of
funding to move that much product."

The 67-year-old man had been under the watchful eyes of U.S.
authorities when they observed an exchange in Bellingham on Sunday,
said Carr.

After the exchange, the American authorities decided to follow the
man. Once they were close to the border, customs officials pulled his
vehicle over. The suspect provided U.S. authorities with his
identification then made a dash for the border driving over a median,
curb and across the lawn and into Canada through the Pacific Highway
border crossing.

U.S. Customs had the suspect under surveillance from the air and were
able to maintain contact with the vehicle and relay the information to
Langley RCMP as the suspect drove towards Aldergrove.

At approximately 8 p.m., Langley RCMP were able to stop the suspect
and place him under arrest at 264 Street and 20 Avenue. Langley RCMP
obtained a search warrant to search the vehicle and discovered the
packaged cocaine.

"He was arrested without incident. It took 45 minutes from the time he
crashed the border to the time Langley RCMP pulled him over. He got
out of his car and was taken into custody," said Carr.

Typically B.C. bud is going south in exchange for cocaine, which is
coming back here, said Carr.

"Organized crime is involved with marijuana grow operations. The
marijuana produced is then being sold in the U.S. in exchange for
cocaine, which is causing problems here," he said. Robert Norton
Allaire of Quesnel has been charged with importing a controlled
substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Allaire is currently in custody and made appearances in Surrey
Provincial Court on Monday and Tuesday.

With Langley being a neighbour to the United States, Mounties are
constantly working with American authorities to stop money and drug
smuggling, said Carr.

"The co-operation between Canada and the U.S. continues to work well,"
said Carr about the bust.

"Canadians should know they are being videotaped, photographed and
watched as part of the U.S.'s homeland security program that appears
to have an endless budget.

Border enforcement has become paramount on the U.S. side through
Langley," he said.