NEW TOOL IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

Police have a new tool in the battle against B.C.'s drug trade and
other organized crime with the creation of an integrated crime unit,
Solicitor General Rich Coleman said Friday.

"By moving the Organized Crime Agency into the RCMP, police will
benefit from unprecedented levels of coordination as they target
criminal groups,'' Coleman said.

"The streamlined operation frees up an additional $3 to $4 million to
fight illegal guns, money laundering, and other types of organized
crime.''

The new agency will be called the Integrated Organized Crime
Unit.

"Criminals don't respect municipal borders and this move will help to
eliminate overlap and duplication among law enforcement agencies,''
said Beverley (Bev) Busson, RCMP Deputy Commissioner for the Pacific
Region. "At the same time, it provides a more efficient use of money
and resources dedicated to organized crime.''

The new integrated unit will have the advantage of the provincial RCMP
contract and access to more federal dollars. Under existing agreements
the province pays 70 per cent of the provincial RCMP costs, and the
federal government pays 30 per cent.

"Integration and innovative new partnerships are necessary if we are
going to be properly equipped to fight organized crime both now and in
the future," said David Douglas, chief officer of the Organized Crime
Agency of B.C.

"This integrated partnership levels the playing field for
police.''

The Organized Crime Agency of B.C was set up in 1999 to investigate
and track organized crime in B.C. The agency will move to the RCMP on
April 1, 2004.