CRACKHOUSE CRACKDOWN

Authorities have promised a tough "zero tolerance" on drug houses in Surrey.

The move follows a spate of serious drug incidents at a house in Whalley
last week, with police forced to execute raids at the house on three
consecutive days.

In one instance, a man at the house in the 13300-block of 103A Avenue is
alleged to have swallowed up to 20 rocks of crack cocaine in order to avoid
being found in possession of drugs.

The man was later located at hospital suffering from a drug overdose.

He recovered but was found again by police the next day - back at the
problem drug house.

Surrey city council has joined forces with police and fire departments, as
well as the community, in an effort to curb illegal drug operations in city
houses.

Mayor Doug McCallum said whatever means legally available would be used to
rid Surrey of crack houses.

"We've got to send a message out to these sort of people we don't want
their kind in or community," he said.

Two months ago, a drug house in the 13800-block of 108th Avenue, described
by police as the "little house of horrors," was demolished.

Two people have been charged with the torture and murder of a woman in that
house.

Council has approved the hiring of eight extra RCMP officers and two
additional bylaw officers to deal with the drug problems in the city.

"We're working with a number of parties in an integrated community
approach," McCallum said.

"It's about zero tolerance. We want the community to report these houses to
us and, with the combination of the police and fire departments and the
engineering department of council, we will try and put a stop to them
operating in that fashion."

McCallum said landowners had to play their part by scrutinizing the
activities of tenants.

"We would ask them to be as diligent as they can in relation to who they
rent these houses to," he said.

"If they are people known to be causing a problem in the neighbourhood and
doing drugs, then we must all work to get them out, for the good of the
community."

On April 25, Surrey RCMP officers executed a search warrant at a house in
103A Avenue and 19 people were found inside.

Two people were arrested for outstanding warrants.

The following day, a man who police believe is the main supplier of crack
cocaine to the drug house was arrested as he arrived at the house in a vehicle.

He was not found to be in possession of drugs, although later that evening
he was located in hospital suffering from a drug overdose.

It was learned the man had allegedly swallowed a quantity of crack cocaine
just before he was arrested.

The man survived the overdose and was located the next night back at the
drug house.

When a search warrant was executed on this occasion, 12 people were found
inside and four people have been subsequently charged with various drug
offences.

The landlord of the house has been contacted regarding the ongoing sale and
use of drugs at the building.

McCallum said efforts were now being made towards shutting the house down.