BRAZEN DRUG DEALERS ARRESTED

Students Openly Sell Drugs In Fisher River School

Interlake Spectator - Three students at Charles Sinclair School on the
Fisher River Cree Nation were arrested by police in connection with the
alleged sale of marijuana to their peers.

Two youth, both 16, and an 18-year-old adult student were arrested after
Fisher Branch RCMP responded to a complaint March 3 that youth were selling
marijuana in the school.

"When we arrived we found three students -- one male adult and two male
youth; all were openly selling drugs in the school," Sgt. Ralph Sutherland,
commanding officer of the Fisher Branch detachment, said Friday. "During
their course of our investigation, the students advised us that they had
purchased drugs from a male adult."

Sutherland says police seized an undisclosed quantity of drugs and money
from the students.

Police subsequently arrested a Fisher River man. Charged with trafficking
marijuana is Garnet Frederick Favel, 35. He also faces a charge in
connection with failing to comply with conditions set down after a
previous, unrelated criminal matter.

Favel was remanded in custody to Winnipeg Remand Centre, where he was to
appear for a bail hearing. Police will oppose his release.

That's an unusual move, says Sgt. Sutherland.

"That's not a standard practice," he acknowledged. "But our major crimes
unit has advised us that drugs are on the rise. There's a big concern about
illegal drugs coming into our community."

"All of the three First Nations -- Jackhead, Fisher River and Peguis -- and
the RM of Fisher share the same concern about illicit drugs," said
Sutherland. "We are taking a firm stand. This is something the larger
community wants -- and it's something we want to do."

"Selling marijuana is a very serious offence. We want to support the
leaders in our communities."

Sutherland hopes the message police and community leaders are sending gets
through to would-be dealers.

Meanwhile, charges against the three students are contemplated, though the
final decision on those charges is left to the federal Crown's office.
Marijuana is an illicit drug as set out in the federal Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act.