Pubdate: Fri, 13 Feb 2004
Source: Comox Valley Record (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Comox Valley Record
Contact:  http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/784
Author: Bruce MacInnis
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

MOUNTIES WARN OF ORGANIZED CRIME'S INFLUENCE

Mounties are gearing up for an influx of organized crime into the local 
drug scene, Const. Dean Maxwell says.

"We feel it's only a matter of time before we get an inundation of crystal 
methamphetamine and when it happens, there will be chaos because of the 
destructive nature of the drug," Maxwell said.

Maxwell said the public will probably not notice an increase in violent 
crime as a direct result of the influx, but theft, prostitution and other 
problems will probably increase sharply, but the general public will still 
find the Valley a safe place to live.

"Right now, they are coming in and setting up loan sharking operations, and 
they have been known to use and take over prostitution rings and ... form 
"partnerships" with local drug dealers so they can take over their 
operations," said Maxwell.

Maxwell did not identify organizations which appear to be moving into the 
Valley, but said police believe they are affiliated with "outlaw" 
motorcycle gangs.

"The Valley has had a more subtle organized crime presence, but in the 
future you could be seeing bikers wearing patches ... things like that," 
Maxwell said. Maxwell said mounties are working on a long-term strategy to 
deal with the expected increase in crime, and will likely ask local 
governments for more money to add more police to the detachment.

"If we can prevent them from getting a foothold in the community, we may 
have a better chance of eliminating or reducing their influence . this has 
to be more than just an RCMP program; it has to be a community program," 
Maxwell said, urging the public to be watchful for signs of drug production 
and other crime in local neighborhoods.

Solicitor General Rich Coleman recently announced formation of a province 
wide integrated police unit aimed at organized crime.

The streamlined unit will enable police in communities across the province 
to coordinate investigation and law enforcement.

"Criminals don't respect municipal borders and this move will help to 
eliminate overlap and duplication among law enforcement agencies, said 
Beverley Busson, RCMP deputy commissioner for the Pacific Region.

The new unit will be based on the B.C. government Organized Crime Agency, 
formed in 1999, and will be transferred to the RCMP on April 1, 2004, the 
attorney general's office said.

Coleman said the new, integrated unit will be able to access more federal 
money under the federal-provincial RCMP contract which requires the federal 
government to pay 30 percent of policing costs.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom