DRUG BUST BLITZ

Hinton RCMP Cracking Down On Meth Trade

If you're dealing drugs in Hinton, you can fully expect to be arrested -
and soon.

That's the message the Hinton RCMP sent out last week when they arrested
three people after a raid in Sunset Mobile Estates.

The raid is just one of many to come, according to Cst. Simon Pillay.

"If you are selling drugs in Hinton - we know who you are. Every time that
you lay down to go to sleep, remember that this could be your last night
outside of cell walls," said Pillay.

During the last year and a half, the Hinton RCMP has teamed up with the
K-Division headquarters Drug Team, K-Division's Street Team and the
Edmonton Police Service's Street Team to investigate the meth trade in
Hinton, including the use of undercover officers.

These investigations are now over - and an arrest blitz is now beginning,
according to Pillay.

"We are attacking the structure of the meth trade. We are targeting the
people that have been here and operating the longest," he said.

"The work is already done. The investigations are over. They can run, but
they can't hide."

The first bust of the meth trade blitz came during the early morning hours
of Oct. 25. Armed with a search warrant, police raided their first target
at Sunset Mobile Estates.

Found at the location were nearly an ounce of methamphetamine, drug
trafficking paraphernalia, and a large sum of money police allege was
obtained by the residents through illegal means.

All three occupants of the residence were arrested and charged with
trafficking in a controlled substance under section 5(1) of the Controlled
Drugs and Substances Act, as well as with possession of drugs for the
purpose of trafficking under section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act.

"(The bust) was a text-book entry. There was minimal damage to property and
no injuries to anyone," said Pillay.

The seized meth's street value is nearly $4,000 according to Pillay.

However, the bust itself had value greater than that of the drugs,
according to police, because of the message it sends to other dealers in
Hinton.

Police allege the operation at Sunset Mobile Estates was one of the more
sophisticated they investigated.

"It was run professionally, as a business," said Pillay.

"That's why this is a big bust to other dealers in town...Amongst the drug
underworld it is known that if this (operation) can be busted, anything can
be busted," he said.

Tip Of The Iceberg

It is hoped that this first flagship bust will cause major disturbances in
criminal world of Hinton. The meth trade is Hinton's biggest single enemy,
according to Pillay.

"It is probably the number one source of criminal activity in Hinton," he said.

"Easily hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug related money changes
hands here every year."

Methamphetamine is a drug that has particularly ugly consequences for users
and their communities. Of first time users, 42 per cent are instantly
addicted. That figure rises to 96 per cent for second time users.

"We see situations all the time where people become addicted, begin
stealing from their families, lose their jobs and all of their possessions,
and become fiends. They commit crimes all day just to get money for drugs,"
said Pillay.

"Drugs are available to anyone in town regardless of age. That being said,
it isn't significant at this time in our high schools."

In recent months the public has become restless waiting for drug related
arrests in Hinton. The police understand this, and are thankful for the
public's patience while investigations were on going.

"We are going to make the results of these investigations very public. This
is a major concern to residents. We know this is a concern to the public,
and it is a concern to us. Our investigations were done in secrecy, both
for the benefit of the investigations and the safety of our officers. The
public should know that every time they call in, we take their calls very
seriously." said Pillay.

One Last Warning

Despite the size of the problem in town, police say it will soon be curbed
- - big time.

"People can not deal in a town this size without the police knowing. It's
just a matter of time until we catch up with them."