METH LABS BUSTED IN KELOWNA

Kelowna RCMP joined with Vancouver and Calgary police in a 16-month
investigation into a methamphetamine ring which resulted in six
arrests Tuesday.

In December, police dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine lab on
Postill Drive in Kelowna.

Yesterday, police searched five homes on Woodcrest Court, Quail Lane,
Via Centrale and Abbott Street as well as San Clemente Avenue in
Peachland. One woman and five men were arrested.

As part of the investigation, more raids were conducted in Chilliwack,
Surrey and Abbotsford. Four men and two women have been arrested in
those busts as two more meth labs were found.

The same investigation saw Calgary Police arrest 30 people and 280
charges laid for weapons and drug offences last April.

Kelowna RCMP Const. Garth Letcher said methamphetamine is a product of
outlaw motorcycle gangs. "We are seeing organized crime spreading its
tentacles outward from the major centres. It is no surprise that we
are seeing the visible effects of organized crime right here in our
own city." Letcher said meth can be produced locally with an
assortment of chemicals which avoids cross-border controls and
dependency on off-shore partners for importation of cocaine.