Pubdate: Fri, 10 Dec 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, News Staff Reporter

HELICOPTERS REMOVED FROM RESERVE LAND

The Penticton Indian Band no longer has to worry about two helicopters
left on reserve land.

The two aircraft were removed from the band's reserve land near
Summerland Wednesday and transported to Wildcat Helicopters Inc. in
Kelowna.

"We're still quite upset that people would attempt to take advantage
of using our land for questionable purposes," said Chief Stewart Phillip.

The helicopters were found Nov. 11 when a band member, chopping wood
in the forested area, saw one of the aircraft land and a man with a
duffel bag jump out. The man exclaimed "You're not my ride" before
heading toward the road.

A second aircraft was found by RCMP and Transport Canada officials
enroute to investigate the first landing.

Transport Canada and the RCMP are continuing their investigations into
the flight path of the aircraft, aviation violations, criminal
activity or a connection between the two helicopters, said Rod Nelson,
spokesperson for Transport Canada.

Attempts to contact Alex Borden from the E Division Border Integrity
Unit before press time were unsuccessful.

Nelson said Transport Canada's investigation will wrap up after
Christmas.

"The investigators were unable to prove conclusively that they were
involved in criminal activities in spite of speculation to that
effect," said Phillip of the ongoing investigation into the suspicious
aircraft.

Regardless, he said, he wanted to deter future questionable activity
on band land.

"We set out to send a strong message to organized crime and to the
drug community that our reserve land base is off limits for any kind
of criminal activities," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Derek