POLICE FORCES 'DISMANTLE' INTERNATIONAL DRUG RING

Cops Display Cash, Drugs At Etobicoke Announcement

Police say an international drug ring headed by a Toronto man collapsed
early Wednesday morning.

The Greater Toronto Area Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU)
in partnership with the FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency and scores of local
forces in Canada and the United States arrested 170 people in connection
with the ring.

At a press conference held in Etobicoke Wednesday, police said the network
was responsible for the production of ecstasy and marijuana in Canada -
after importing the powder from Holland, then distributing the drugs in the
United States and laundering money.

Police in Toronto seized about $150,000 in cash.

In addition to the criminal charges, the Toronto man, originally from
China, faces immigration proceedings.

According to CFSEU Chief Supt. Ben Soave, dies used in the production of
the ecstasy could produce one pill per second or 250,000 a day. Police said
one lab was found in Toronto.

"These facilities could produce $6 million in product every single day,"
said Soave.

Soave added that $500,000 in marijuana was also seized.

"We have been able to collectively dismantle this organization from top to
bottom," said Soave.

The police probe, operating under the name Okapi, began in Toronto in May
2001 after American authorities alleged ecstasy was being shipped into the
United States from Canada.

Ecstasy is the street name for the drug MDMA. Ecstasy is occasionally found
at raves and dance clubs, where it used as a stimulant to assist long dance
sessions.

Acting Chief Coroner Dr. Barry McLellan warned the public that the use of
ecstasy can cause long-term side effects including depression and cognitive
deficiencies.

"Ecstasy is not a safe drug," he said. "We know that someone can die from
the ingestion of just one tablet."

Wong Ze Wai, 46, the alleged ringleader of the syndicate, faces 39 charges
including conspiracy to traffic and export a controlled substance,
conspiracy to launder the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal
organization.

Wu Kay, 40, also of Scarborough, faces four charges including the
production of a controlled substance and the possession of property
obtained by crime.

Le Thi Phuong Mai, 38, who police allege was primarily responsible for
co-ordinating the laundering and exporting of the drug funds, was arrested
in Ottawa. Le is alleged to be Wong's business partner.