COPS HELP IN BUST

Guelph Police aided in the dismantling of a major southwestern Ontario drug
and crime ring that saw $365 million in drugs seized and 19 people arrested
this week, say RCMP.

At deadline no Guelph residents were believed arrested, but police
anticipate more arrests.

"We executed 10 to 15 search warrants for this area and Toronto as of
today," said Waterloo Regional Staff Sgt. Bryan Larkin Thursday.

"We've made a significant dent in the drug trade locally, and that includes
the City of Guelph and Wellington County."

The year-long, joint forces investigation involved the RCMP's Kitchener
detachment, and police in Waterloo, Guelph, Stratford, London, Hamilton and
Toronto.

The suspects face charges of drug trafficking, conspiracy, money laundering,
kidnaping, extortion, assault and proceeds of crime.

Police seized cocaine, speed, ecstasy and marijuana, drug paraphernalia,
weapons and what they call a significant amount of cash.

"Certainly this is just the start. This is an ongoing active investigation,"
said Larkin. He called this a major dismantling of an organized drug ring
working through the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph Stratford and
Toronto area.

The joint forces team came together in the spring of 2003 after police got
information about different crime organizations involved in manufacturing
and distributing speed throughout southwestern Ontario.

As the investigation developed and police identified more criminal activity,
there was a need to add Guelph and Toronto police officers, said RCMP Sgt.
Paul Williams in a news release.

Referring to threats and intimidation undercover officers witnessed,
Williams said the drug sub-culture "can be very violent, particularly when
money is owed and debts are being collected."

Guelph Police officers weren't available at deadline, and Larkin isn't sure
how they became part of the team.