DRUG BUST POINTS TO PROBLEM

A traffic stop on the Trans-Canada Highway resulted in a significant
drug bust Wednesday. Medicine Hat Police Service members pulled over
a vehicle on the highway near Dunmore Road for a traffic violation at
about 1:45 a.m. An investigation into the occupants of the vehicle
recovered $16,500 in cash believed to be the proceeds of criminal
activity. They also found 71 tablets of ecstasy, a street value of
$1,400, 5.65 grams of crystal meth, valued at $550, and a small
amount of marijuana, according to Staff Sgt. Brent Secondiak.

The police arrested three suspects on charges of possession for the
purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime, and
possession of a controlled substance.

Chief Norm Boucher of the Medicine Hat Police Service commended the
officer for his work.

"The officer involved last night, over the last year has had several
busts," said Boucher.

"I think he has developed his own approach, his own way of seeing
things in the behaviour of people and he's been very successful."

There's a lot of training being conducted under project pipeline, says Boucher.

"In our service we've got five officers trained in this regard and
they are passing the knowledge to others."

The instruction teaches officers to look for certain signs when
making a traffic stop, he explained.

That's why, even a pull over for a menial thing, can result in a bust.

But Boucher also stated that the service is fighting a difficult drug battle.

According to information they have gathered over the years, Boucher
believes they are only taking eight per cent of the drugs travelling
through the area off the streets.

"This only emphasizes to me that this is still the Trans-Canada
Highway ... and this is still a big convoy area for drugs," added Boucher.

Last night's bust, although it didn't bring in a huge amount of
drugs, the $16,500 seized is a sizable amount.

"But the reality is, there's millions and millions of dollars tied
into the drug world in Alberta," said Boucher.

For this reason Alberta's chiefs of police are strongly opposing the
decriminalization of marijuana.

"Marijuana is the currency used for other drugs," explained Boucher.

It may be a lower profile drug, but the profits from marijuana are
used to buy other drugs, he continued.

"Sometimes they even trade green for powder (cocaine)."