Pubdate: Fri, 02 Jul 2004
Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Peace Arch News
Contact:  http://www.peacearchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333
Author: Tracy Holmes
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

DRUG SEIZURE SPEED TAKES A BITE OUT OF BORDER CRIME

He's cute, he's fit, and his nose is a force for the force.

Speed, one of four drug-sniffing dogs that work at Pacific Highway border 
crossing, has proven that time and again during his seven years of service.

And though he's near retirement, the pup's knack for sniffing out all 
things narcotic is still sharp.

Last month, Speed was credited with two of three major cocaine busts at 
Pacific Highway crossing.

June 11, he led his handler, Mike Hepner, to 28.3 kg of cocaine in a duffle 
bag in a northbound mini van.

That lead RCMP's Integrated Border Enforcement Team to charge siblings 
Aracely Dayana Corea of Vancouver and Yader Manuel Corea Martinez of 
Burnaby with unlawfully importing cocaine into Canada and possession of 
cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Next, Speed alerted officers to 37.8 kg of cocaine stashed in the floor and 
side panels of an SUV coming into Canada June 14.

Aguilar Walther Orellana of Vancouver and Tyrone Justin Lafrenier of Port 
Coquitlam now face charges of importing and possession for the purpose of 
trafficking.

Hepner said Wednesday that brings Speed's record of "decent-sized narcotic 
seizures" to more than 250. He figures the lab has helped keep 200 kg of 
drugs off the streets, from marijuana to PCP to heroin.

In both the latest seizures, Speed scented the dope from outside the 
vehicles. It takes him less than 30 seconds to pinpoint a source. In a 
third bust last month, this one June 2, Customs officers noted 
discrepancies in paperwork for a commercial truck driver. They found 72.9 
kg of cocaine hidden behind pallets of boxed wine being shipped from 
Berkeley, Calif.

The truck driver was released, and no charges have been laid. IBET's Const. 
Alex Borden said that investigation is ongoing. Borden said investigators 
have not linked the three seizures, but are "keeping open minds."

There's no doubt organized crime is behind them, he said.

Cpl. Scott Rintoul, of RCMP's drug section, said research into drug trends 
show a decrease in cocaine production and trafficking, to it's lowest point 
since 1985.

"And yet, there's still a demand," he said.

"Law enforcement alone will not solve this problem. Seizures like this are 
unfortunately going to continue until we deal with the demand side."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager