Pubdate: Wed, 17 Nov 2004
Source: Penticton Western (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Penticton Western
Contact:  http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1310
Author: Tracy Clark, Western Staff Reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

POLICE DEAL WITH HELICOPTER MYSTERY

Although investigators have confirmed the suspicious nature of the landing 
of two helicopters on Penticton Indian Band reserve land, they will not say 
whether the landings are drug-related.

"Our members are trying to determine where they came from, how they got 
there, who got them there, where they've been, if they've been involved in 
criminal activity and the purpose of why those helicopters are there," said 
Const. Alex Borden from the E Division Border Integrity Unit in the Lower 
Mainland, speaking on behalf of the RCMP.

The first helicopter landed on the northerly most portion of the Penticton 
Indian Band reserve on Nov. 11 near where two members of the band were 
chopping wood. A man carrying a duffel bag jumped out of the aircraft and 
ran up to one of the men, exclaiming, "you're not my ride" before taking 
off on foot toward Isintok Road, a private road on band land, said Chief 
Stewart Phillip.

Tribal police were called to the site and in turn informed RCMP. While 
flying to the site of the abandoned aircraft, RCMP discovered a second 
abandoned helicopter in close proximity to the first, said Phillip Monday.

It is still unclear whether the helicopters crossed the U.S. border, but 
the Global Positioning systems of the helicopters have been removed to try 
and track their flight patterns, said Phillip.

"A helicopter could be used to go anywhere," said Borden.

In the past the Border Integrity Unit has seen incidents of organized crime 
and cross-border drug trafficking, he said.

"We have received intelligence with regards to B.C. bud going to the United 
States in exchange for firearms or cocaine or cash," said Borden. "It's a 
commodity. There is an appetite for B.C. bud south of the border."

Phillip said drugs have become a major problem on the reserve.
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