NATION-WIDE DRUG BUST LEADS TO

A Lac du Bonnet business was raided last Wednesday morning in
conjunction with a Canada-wide drug bust that netted police officers
large quantities of ephedrine (the main ingredient in crystal
methamphetamine), cash, firearms and assets valued in excess of $1
million dollars.

Members of the Lac du Bonnet and Winnipeg RCMP executed search
warrants on Wednesday, September 15th, at two Trans-Canada Fitness
centres, in Lac du Bonnet and Winnipeg, as part of a sting operation
against an alleged smuggling ring that police believe was linked to a
drug pipeline to the United States.

Business owner, Roger Bruneau, built the local fitness centre in 2001,
after moving his workout business from Pinawa. Bruneau, known for
promoting fitness and strength competitions, was believed to be in
Hanna, Alberta at the time of the raid.

RCMP released few details about the drug bust but confirmed that
several suspects have been accused of buying large amounts of
ephedrine from a licensed distributor from Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Ephedrine is the basic ingredient needed to produce crystal
methamphetamine, which in turn is used to produce the drug Ecstasy.

According to reports, in Canada, ephedrine is considered a legally
available nutritional and weight loss supplement. However, it was
banned in the U.S. after being linked to more than 155 deaths.

RCMP also confirmed that one of the suspects, a 16-year veteran of the
Winnipeg Police Service, was charged with unlawful communication with
members of the alleged smuggling ring.

The Lac du Bonnet raid occurred simultaneously with raids in Winnipeg,
including Trans-Canada Fitness on McPhillips Street and homes in Whyte
Ridge and East St. Paul.

Among assets seized were a pair of Dodge Vipers valued in excess of
$50,000 each.

According to reports, the McPhillips Street fitness centre was also
registered by Bruneau last year along with a neighbouring tanning salon.

While Staff Sergeant Mel Mitchell of the Lac du Bonnet RCMP detachment
couldn't release many details, he did report that four detachment
members accompanied members of the Winnipeg Drug Squad during the
seizure last Wednesday in Lac du Bonnet.

Officers executed the search warrant at 7:00 am and remained on the
scene until 5:00 in the afternoon.

RCMP believe the drug ephedrine was transported from Thunder Bay,
directly to Lac du Bonnet before being shipped to other locals,
including Vancouver and Buffalo, New York, for processing.

Police say the investigation was launched in January of this year
after receiving information from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
during their investigations.

In all, 34 search warrants were executed across Canada, enlisting 250
police officers from Ontario, BC, Alberta and Manitoba.

According to RCMP, as a result of these nation-wide searches, 17
adults (10 of whom are from Manitoba) have been arrested and face
assorted charges including Conspiracy to Produce Methamphetamine
(USA), Conspiracy to Produce Methamphetamine (Canada), Conspiracy to
Export Methamphetamine, and Export Methamphetamine.

Crystal meth is cheap to produce and more potent than cocaine, making
it a popular drug among teenagers.

Costing about $20 for one-tenth of a gram, crystal meth raises the
heart rate and blood pressure and can cause anxiety, paranoia,
depression and violence in some users. Other side effects have
included brain hemorrhages causing permanent paralysis or death.