KEEP EYE OUT FOR DRUG BOATS

Cpl. Anne Clarke wants your help to find motherships.

Instead of X Files-style vessels, the B.C. co-ordinator of the Coastal
Watch Program is looking for a hand to spot boats bringing any illegal
commodity to the long stretches of wild and lonely B.C. coastline.

Speaking to Rotary clubs recently in Port McNeill and Port Hardy, the
Victoria-based officer noted that federal government cutbacks have reduced
Coast Guard personnel and destaffed lighthouses.

"We just don't have the eyes and ears anymore," she commented.

"You guys are the ones who have a pretty good idea about what goes on on
the coastline," she told local Rotarians.

She asks coastal residents "to pay attention to what's happening in the
neighbourhood, like Neighbourhood Watch."

Although Coastal Watch tracks illegal activities that include terrorism,
smuggling migrants, environmental crime, overfishing and impaired boating,
drugs are the biggest target.

About 10 per cent of cocaine imported into Canada and half of the cannabis
arrives by water, says a Coastal Watch pamphlet.

Boaters who spot anything suspicious should record as many details as
possible and report them by calling 1-888-855-6655.

Clarke offered advice about how to react to suspicious behaviour at
land-based drug operations.

Be extremely cautious if you discover a marijuana grow operation in the
woods, she warned. You should leave by the same route, she added.

B.C. has developed an extremely serious methamphetamine problem, Clarke stated.

"We have just as big a problem as California," she commented.

"It's the most addictive drug - it's more addictive than heroin. It's
almost impossible to kick a methamphetamine habit."

Signs indicating the existence of a meth lab include dark grey or black
smoke billowing from windows, blacked-out windows, glass containers stained
red and excessive foot traffic to a residence.

However, resist your curiosity and do not pilot your boat too close to an
American military vessel, warns Clarke.