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