RCMP EXPLAIN LOW-FLYING CHOPPERS

Comments from Texada Island Policing Committee will be passed on to
next year's crew says RCMP spokesman

Complaints about damage caused by low-flying helicopter overpasses
during this summer's raid on Texada Island's marijuana crops have been
addressed by the RCMP.

In a letter to the Texada Island Policing Committee, RCMP Staff
Sergeant Tim Bains explained that marijuana is easy to spot from the
air and that many grow operations are not easily accessible by land.
"In the past, helicopters had the capability of lowering RCMP members,
by use of a hoisting mechanism, directly into the areas where the grow
was taking place. Unfortunately, due to malfunctions, the use of
hoists was not permitted this year, thereby making it necessary for
the helicopters to try to find suitable landing close to the marijuana."

Bains' letter stated that the hoists would have reduced the number of
passes over the area and hovering near some residences, and has noted
that he will bring up the committee's comments and concerns with staff
and pilots at next year's operational briefing.

"This was more than just a nuisance," said policing committee
chairwoman Phyllis Soles. "Farm animals were terrified by the constant
overpasses right over their heads. Families with no connection to the
grow sites had people peering through their windows with binoculars.
One woman's car was repeatedly followed, and the windows were blown
out of one house. It's clear from their letter that they understood
our concerns and we are happy with their response and confident that
it won't happen again."

The letter noted that 150 grow sites were plotted in advance of the
raids and that "many of them were camouflaged with netting, tarps and
artificial flowers. Plots were fenced, had ATVs [all terrain vehicles]
present and were in association with elaborate irrigation systems."
Bains noted that videotaping and digital photography of the grow sites
did take place, but vision-enhancing devices--binoculars--were not
issued.

"It is absolutely unacceptable for the pilots from Comox to have been
harassing homes and people that are not associated with the grow
operations," said Dave Murphy, Powell River Regional District director
for Texada Island. "I called the base the next day and made it clear
that they need to talk to their pilots about their conduct. This may
be a war on drugs, but it's not a battlefield. We certainly don't
blame the local police for this situation and I'm glad this matter had
been dealt with. We can let the matter rest."

The marijuana eradication program is a national operation involving
members of the Canada military and RCMP. Local police officers have a
good relationship with the majority of islanders, and policing
committee members are quick to point out that they do not blame the
local members for the activities of the eradication team. Police
removed over 2,400 plants from Texada grow sites during the August
raid.