Pubdate: Sat, 22 May 2004
Source: Chronicle Herald (CN NS)
Copyright: 2004 The Halifax Herald Limited
Contact:  http://www.herald.ns.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180
Author: Mary Ellen MacIntyre

CRACK HOUSE NEAR TRURO SCHOOL BUSTED

Charges Pending Against Two Men, Two Women After Raid, Police Say

TRURO - Police have shut down what they allege was a crack house right 
across from an elementary school.

Neighbours are breathing easier with the arrest of two men and two women in 
a 10 p.m. raid Thursday that netted police quantities of crack cocaine, 
marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

"Look, I don't know anything about what happened and I don't want to know 
but I sure am glad things are quieter here," said one neighbour who asked 
not to be identified.

"You don't want drug dealers in the neighbourhood, especially when there's 
a school right across the road."

The two women and one of the men had been released from police custody 
Friday, pending court action. Those arrested were between the ages of 26 
and 36.

"The charges haven't been laid yet," said Const. Steve Van Herk of the 
RCMP's drug section.

Charges of possession of narcotics, possession for the purpose of 
trafficking and trafficking in narcotics could be laid.

A team of eight officers from the RCMP and the Truro Police Service made 
the arrests.

"There was actually more marijuana seized in the raid than crack, but 
neighbours in the area certainly suspected drugs were being sold from that 
house," Const. Van Herk said.

The Wood Street house is across from Alice Street School.

"It's a bad location for this kind of thing because with this kind of 
criminal activity, you get other criminal activity, which could pose a 
violent risk in the community," Const. Van Herk said.

Asked if that section of the town is under close scrutiny, the officer said 
police are continuing to investigate other suspected drug dealers in the area.

"Oh, it's not over yet. There are some good people living in this area, and 
we hope to resolve this whole thing soon."

No one from the Chignecto-Central regional school board or the Alice Street 
School returned calls Friday afternoon.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart