TAKE DOWN

Drug dealers in the Downtown Eastside took a hit this month when
police targeted more than 60 people allegedly selling drugs.

Dubbed Project Tyke 2, the two-week undercover operation targeted "the
most prolific" dealers in the Downtown Eastside, according to a
Vancouver Police Department release.

The project resulted in 89 drug charges laid against 63 people. As of
July 19, police had rounded up 34 of the suspects.

"The VPD is committed to removing these predators from the streets of
Vancouver," said Insp. Eric Petit. "They are repeatedly preying on the
city's most vulnerable citizens."

Insp. Dean Robinson, in charge of the VPD's drug squad, said the drug
of choice seems to be crack cocaine. It's sold in packaged cellophane
for $10.

Robinson said the drug trade is directly tied to the high level of
property crime in the city.

"It's alarming when a typical drug addict might have a $250 a day drug
habit. He only gets 10 cents on the dollar for the property that he
steals, which means he has to steal at least $2,500 a day to feed his
habit."

Robinson said police intend to make it a lot tougher for drug dealers
to ply their trade.

"Our message is quite clear--the residents and merchants of the
Downtown Eastside deserve to feel safe in their own neighbourhood, as
do the residents and merchants throughout Vancouver."

Of the 34 suspects arrested by police, the youngest was 19-years-old
and the oldest was 46-years-old..