CAMBRIDGE RESIDENTS BUSTED IN DRUG RING

Two Cambridge residents were among 27 people charged when police
busted a major drug ring last Thursday.

Phounsaueth Xaysy, 23, and Lithmouthay Xaysy, 29, are charged with
possession of cocaine with the purpose of trafficking. They were
arrested at their Hungerford Street home.

The bust netted police millions of dollars worth of drugs, cash and
other items. Seized from homes across southern Ontario was: cocaine
valued at $2.4 million; ecstacy worth $500,000; hashish worth
$300,000; and speed valued at $100,000. Police also seized $500,000
cash, a Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicle and a Mercedes-Benz
convertible, three handguns, an assault rifle, computers, cell phones,
a money counter and a hydraulic drug press used to package cocaine.

"This is a significant seizure and dismantling of an organized drug
ring," said Staff Sgt. Bryan Larkin of the Waterloo Regional Police.
"All of the individuals were known to each other and were trusted
individuals...It's very similar to a corporation. There was a
hierarchy. There were individuals responsible for different facets of
the drug business, is what we're alleging."

The drug ring had been the focus of a year-long investigation by
Waterloo Regional Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and police in
Stratford, Hamilton, Guelph and Toronto.

"Of particular interest to us as we worked through this investigation
were the constant threats of intimidation that were identified through
different investigational techniques that were employed," said Sgt.
Paul Williams of the RCMP. " Life within the drug sub-culture can be
very violent, particularly when money is owed and debts are being
collected."

Others charged in the bust are males and females ages 19 to 49 living
in Kitchener, Waterloo, Toronto, Guelph, and Goderich. One of the
suspects was arrested in Vancouver, B.C. Most of the suspects remained
in custody yesterday. Charges laid against the suspects are related to
drug trafficking, conspiracy, money laundering, kidnapping, extortion,
assault, and proceeds of crime.