Pubdate: Fri, 21 Dec 2001
Source: Cambridge Reporter, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001 The Cambridge Reporter
Contact:  http://www.cambridge-reporter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1470
Author: Mary-Louise Skornyak

COPS SEIZE ILLEGAL 'CHRISTMAS PRESENTS'

Waterloo Regional Police seized a "substantial" amount of cocaine and 
marijuana Wednesday in a roadside bust that was part of an ongoing 
investigation into the local drug trade.

As a result, two Cambridge residents, a man and a woman, were arrested and 
charged with drug trafficking.

About 1.5 kilograms of cocaine and 2.3 kilograms of marijuana were found 
hidden in boxes wrapped as Christmas presents and stashed in the trunk of a 
car heading eastbound on Highway 401 towards Toronto. Information about the 
intended destination for the drugs was not available yesterday.

"We had information they were in possession of illegal narcotics and set up 
surveillance," said Staff Sergeant Ray Massicotte, head of the regional 
police drug squad.

Massicotte would only say the investigation was ongoing into drug activity 
in the Cambridge area - and it is continuing.

Around 4 p.m. Wednesday, about a dozen members of the Cambridge detective 
branch, drug officers and uniformed patrol officers stopped a vehicle on 
Highway 401 eastbound near Milton.

After following the target vehicle for some time, the officers "saw an 
opportunity" and took it to safely bring the suspect's car to a halt on the 
shoulder, Massicotte said.

The driver and a passenger in the car were arrested without incident. 
Investigators later executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search 
warrant at an Edward Street residence in Hespeler. There officers seized a 
small amount of cocaine and about one kilogram more of marijuana.

While officers still have to test the cocaine for purity, Massicotte said 
"it looks like it's right off the block and of very high quality."

Staff Sergeant Wally Hogg, head of the detectives branch in Cambridge, said 
yesterday's drug seizure was "substantial for Cambridge." Police figures 
estimate the street value at $140,000.

While celebrating the bust, Hogg didn't "think it will make all that big of 
a dent" in the local drug trade.

"The information we have is that it is out there in copious amounts," Hogg 
said.

"The 401 is a corridor for any municipalities along it for any type of 
criminal activity, including drug trafficking," Hogg said.

Scott Hutchings, 31, and Paula Sebetovsky, 25, both of Cambridge, were each 
charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking. They 
were both scheduled to make their first court appearance in Kitchener 
federal court yesterday.

The maximum penalty for trafficking is life imprisonment, though it is 
rarely handed out. While some drug convictions warrant jail time, a growing 
number of others don't. A Cambridge man who pleaded guilty last month to 
running a home-grow marijuana operation for profit was sentenced to 20 
months of house arrest. A Kitchener man in a similar case got 18 months at 
home.

People under house arrest are free in the community under strict 
conditions, such as a curfew and community service. Typically, they are 
allowed out for work, to attend medical appointments or counselling, and 
church.

In response this week, Cambridge city council followed Kitchener's lead by 
supporting a resolution advocating stiffer sentences in drug cases, 
particularly for home growers.

In addition to the human and community costs associated with addictions, 
drug abuse leads to an increase in petty crimes such as residential break 
and enters, police say. When it comes to illegal indoor marijuana growing 
operations, there are inherent dangers related to faulty electrical wiring 
- - responsible for two fires in Waterloo Region to date - and toxic 
chemicals used to fertilize the plants. In other jurisdictions, pot houses 
have been booby trapped.

"I think it's absolutely great" what Cambridge city council is trying to 
do, Hogg said.

"It's nice to see local politicians echo the concerns of the police 
department and fire department."

Massicotte said stiffer penalties will act as more of a deterrent.

"I'm sure it would make them rethink their positions if some maximum 
sentences were given out," he said.
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