Pubdate: Thu, 13 Feb 2003
Source: Daily News, The (CN NS)
Copyright: 2003 The Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/halifax/dailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/179
Author: Beverley Ware

'BATMAN' NABS DUO

Cross-Canada Drug Sweep Busts Pair From Metro

A Porters Lake man arrested in a raid on the Hells Angels clubhouse in 
Halifax more than a year ago is one of two Nova Scotians facing charges in 
Newfoundland of being connected to a national drug-trafficking network.

Norman Henry Overdijk of Cranton Drive, Porter's Lake, and Mark Orland 
Power of Old Coach Road, Head of Chezzetcook, face charges of conspiracy to 
traffic marijuana after simultaneous police raids in Newfoundland, British 
Columbia and Nova Scotia -- dubbed Operation Batman -- resulted in the 
arrest of 19 people.

Newfoundland RCMP Staff Sgt. Greg Smith said the two were picked up at 
their homes at noon Tuesday and flown in a police Twin Otter plane to St. 
John's yesterday. They will appear in court today.

Smith said Overdijk is on bail after he was charged with drug-trafficking 
after a raid on the Hells Angels' Fairview clubhouse 14 months ago.

Police say they've dismantled a sophisticated trafficking ring. The RCMP 
seized $2 million worth of harvested marijuana from a growhouse in 
Kamloops, B.C., not including 1,844 plants also seized there, plus $1 
million in drugs in Newfoundland and Labrador and several hundred thousand 
dollars worth of assets and cash. One of the men arrested in B.C. is from 
Newfoundland, and is described by police as "integral" to the conspiracy.

The drugs in B.C. were destined for Newfoundland, where Smith said 
traffickers can make an extra $1,000 wholesale for a half-kilogram, 
compared with the going price in B.C.

"If you dance to the music in Newfoundland, you got to pay the fiddler in 
Newfoundland," he said.

Smith said the RCMP will allege Overdijk, 42, sent a nine-kilogram 
marijuana shipment to Newfoundland in September, followed by several 
two-kilogram packages shortly before Christmas. He was using unsuspecting 
courier companies to transport the drugs, he said.

Smith said Power, 32, "is Overdijk's right-hand man. He was acting on 
Overdijk's instructions."

Overdijk dealt over the phone with dealers, then had Power send the drugs, 
Smith, noting police think this because they "intercepted conversations" 
using wiretaps.
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