Pubdate: Wed, 03 Aug 2005
Source: Cobourg Daily Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Northumberland Publishers
Contact:  http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2227
Author: Karen Lloyd

CRACKING DOWN ON DOPE DEALERS	

The Local Police Service Is Taking A Tougher Stand Against Port Hope's Most 
Successful Dope Pushers.

With a Port Hope Police Services officer now on board with the OPP's drug 
unit, dealers should prepare for a bust. More undercover officers are 
attempt to sweep the streets clean of narcotics like cocaine, ecstasy, 
marijuana and crystal meth (a highly addictive drug that appears to be 
growing in popularity among drug users not only in Port Hope but across the 
country).

"We're not just going to sit back and let these people deal drugs," said 
Port Hope Police Chief Ron Hoath explaining one of the reasons why the 
municipality's police services board, earlier this summer, agreed that 
cooperation with the OPP would be beneficial to local residents.

While the police service has always taken a no nonsense approach toward 
illegal drug trafficking in the area, Chief Hoath explained having an 
officer with the drug unit ups the anti.

The drug unit is responsible for the management of strategically located 
joint force drug units comprised of officers from the OPP, regional and 
municipal police services and RCMP. These officers, share notes, conduct 
daily street enforcement and target criminal trafficking organizations.

"We know we have a problem here with drugs and in order to get the unit 
here, we have to commit some of our own resources," said Chief Hoath who is 
so far pleased with the results.

Just two months have passed since the officer joined forces with the drug 
unit and already, many dealers who have been "caught in the act" will soon 
appear before the courts.

"I think some of them have already had a wakeup call," said Chief Hoath. 
"They'll go to jail."

If they get back into the same line of work when they're back on the 
street, he said they'll go to jail longer the next time and every time 
until they eventually, hopefully, decide to learn some new skills and hunt 
down a legal job.

By going about Port Hope's drug problem with under cover officers, Chief 
Hoath said, "You really go after (dealers) where it hurts."
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