POLICE SET UP DRUG HOTLINE

Got info about drug dealers? Call 604-207-4762

If you've seen drug dealers working in your neighbourhood, or know the
house down the block is growing marijuana, there's a new local hotline
you can call to leave police a tip.

Richmond RCMP unveiled the new hotline on Wednesday and hope it will
help in their battle against the proliferation of marijuana growing
operations. But police aren't just setting their sights on B.C. bud.

They also want to know about those trafficking in cocaine, heroin,
methamphetamines and ecstasy.

By calling 604-207-4762, people can pass information directly to a
drug squad police officer or leave a message on an answering machine.

Richmond RCMP Cpl. Peter Thiessen said police won't be using any
caller-identification electronic devices to track down tipsters who
wish to remain anonymous. But police are encouraging tipsters to leave
their name and phone numbers, for follow up.

"We realize the community has a lot of information that could help
us," he said.

The hotline makes it as easy as possible for residents to leave police
a tip, he said. There's much less bureaucracy involved.

"Those who traffic in illicit drugs and destroy lives, homes and
communities need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."