Pubdate: Fri, 20 Dec 2002
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2002 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: David Kuxhaus
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)

STAFF TURN OVER $91,000 FOUND IN MALL FOOD COURT

Suspected Drug Dealer Nabbed After Visit To Lost And Found

An alleged drug dealer was caught after cleaning staff at Polo Park 
Shopping Centre stumbled across $91,000 in cash left behind in a backpack 
in the mall's food court.

"We are always surprised at the honesty of people," said Winnipeg police 
Const. Bob Johnson. "A lot of people finding $91,000 may not have turned it 
over."

It's believed to be one of the largest seizures of cash related to drugs in 
the city.

Not only did staff at the mall turn over the cash, they ultimately caught 
the suspect the following day.

Daryl Ford, who is in charge of security at Polo Park, said the bag was 
sitting on a chair at an empty table at the food court at about 6 p.m. Tuesday.

As a result, a cleaning woman took the bag to the mall's customer care 
centre. When staff opened it up, they discovered the money wrapped with 
elastics in $1,000 bundles and called security, who turned the money over 
to police. "I was quite shocked," said Ford, "We've never found that large 
a volume of money."

Ford said staff at the customer care centre were told to call security if 
anyone came looking for the backpack.

Sure enough, a man came by just before 5 p.m. Wednesday, saying that he had 
lost a backpack. But when staff called security, he quickly left.

Ford said the mall has an extensive closed circuit TV system and he said 
they began to track the man as he moved through the mall. At the same time 
they were directing two security officers, via radio, toward his location.

Ford said the suspect went up to the second floor and quickened his pace.

Officers nabbed him just after he exited the mall through the second floor 
east doors. "They did an extremely good job," said Ford. "We are extremely 
pleased with all of our staff, they all followed proper procedure."

Johnson said it's not clear whether the man simply forgot the bag or was 
leaving it for someone to pick up, adding that the suspect has refused to 
co-operate with police.

Meanwhile, Johnson said when officers later executed a search warrant on a 
locker at a U-Haul facility on Century Street, there was another surprise 
waiting -- just over 2.7 kilograms of powdered and crack cocaine.

It's one of the larger seizures this year and police say part of a growing 
trend. Earlier this year, police seized 17 kilograms of cocaine in a locker 
in a north Winnipeg storage compound.

In 2001, police seized 20 kilograms of cocaine.

Charged with possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and 
possessing the proceeds of crime is Shu Tshung Wong, 30, of Vancouver.

Duty Insp. Frank Minaker said there is no evidence at this point to suggest 
that the drugs are related to gang activity in the city.
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