Pubdate: Tue, 31 Dec 2002
Source: Western Star, The (CN NF)
Copyright: 2002 The Western Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/cornerbrook/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2523
Author: Michael Rigler

DEER LAKE RESIDENTS FACE DRUG CHARGES AFTER MONTH-LONG RCMP INVESTIGATION

A month-long RCMP investigation resulted in the arrest of two Deer Lake 
residents and the seizure of a quantity of drugs Monday.

Local officers and the police dog services executed a warrant on a local 
residence in the early hours of Monday morning.

During a search of the premises, the officers discovered a quantity of 
hashish, hash oil and marijuana. As a result of the search, a 47-year-old 
man and a 50-year-old woman, both Deer Lake residents, were charged with 
two counts of possession of controlled substances for the purpose of 
trafficking.

Police are estimating the seized drugs would have fetched about $10,800 on 
the street.

Sergeant Bruce Whillans said the names of the two won't be released until 
they appear in provincial court in February.

Sgt. Whillans said the arrests mark a substantial seizure for the Humber 
Valley community. He went on to say that police will be looking to take 
down other local dealers in 2003.

"It's a fair sized quantity for Deer Lake," Sgt. Whillans told The Western 
Star. "It was certainly destined for the front line here in Deer Lake, 
youth and other users.

"There's no spin-off investigations at this time. But these arrests are 
good for Deer Lake because one of the things we're trying to do is target 
people in town who we suspect are using or distributing drugs. Hopefully, 
we'll take a few more down over the next year."

The woman was released on an undertaking but the man was held in custody 
after threatening the arresting officers.

The man will answer to the additional charge of uttering threats to cause 
death. Both are facing trafficking charges and will be in Deer Lake 
provincial court on Feb. 20.
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