POLICE ON TRAIL OF METH LABS

POLICE ARE tracking down as many as four crystal meth labs in the
northwest, says a senior Terrace RCMP officer.

And their efforts are being helped by many tips that began to flow after
one clandestine lab was discovered March 2 on Lazelle Ave., half a block
from the RCMP detachment here, says Staff Sergeant Jas Basi.

"The tips we're getting are from the Terrace area, the city and Thornhill
and Old Remo," said. "They're coming from not just drug users, but from
parents of students and people in this township."

"The problem of meth has really brought a lot of people together. It's
really a breath of fresh air."

"There'll be more arrests."

Basi, while shocked at the number of meth labs said to be operating in the
northwest, isn't all that surprised the drug is being used in the northwest.

"We've been watching the expansion of methamphetamine over the last several
years. It has been migrating north. Smithers went through this last year.
It's cheap to make and the profit margin is so high."

Crystal meth, which is commonly smoked, is regarded as highly addictive and
popular among younger drug users.

Basi said the RCMP detachment here has been training more of its officers
to be more aware of signs of meth use and production. "We're really being
proactive," he said.

Officers are also visiting drug stores, pharmacies, industrial outlets and
the like to alert workers about what is used to make crystal meth.

"If somebody comes in and wants to buy a lot of ephedrine, that would be a
sign. Or if somebody goes to a local business and wants 20 cans of acetone
or ether and says he wants to paint his car, we know you don't need that
much to paint a car," said Basi.

He said it is too early to say if the discovery of the Lazelle lab has
dampened the supply or production of meth in the northwest.

Police had reported an increase in minor property crime, perhaps a sign
people were looking for easily-sold smaller items to sell to buy meth.

"There's been no real dip. Property crime is still pretty steady," said Basi.

In the meantime, a federal lab in Vancouver is processing chemicals seized
from the Lazelle lab and from a Jackpine Flats location where four people
were arrested in connection with the Lazelle discovery.

The exact nature of charges depends upon the results from the lab analysis,
said Basi.