Pubdate: Wed, 20 Apr 2005
Source: Powell River Peak (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Peak Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.prpeak.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/734
Author: Laura Walz
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

COMPLAINTS LEAD TO NEW METHODS

RCMP Marijuana Eradication Program Reflects Concerns Of Island Residents

RCMP personnel had identified over 200 marijuana sites on Texada and 
Lasqueti islands before a marijuana eradication program took place last summer.

According to a letter written to Colin Palmer, chairman of the Powell River 
Regional District (PRRD) board of directors, police had identified 150 
sites on Texada and 65 sites on Lasqueti. On Texada, 51 sites, which 
contained a total of 2,430 plants, were eradicated. On Lasqueti, 25 sites, 
which contained a total of 2,100 plants, were eradicated.

The letter, from the RCMP drug enforcement branch, was written in response 
to a complaint made by the regional district to the Public Complaints 
Commission about some of the actions taken by personnel during the 
eradication program which occurred in August 2004. Island residents had 
expressed concerns about low-flying helicopters, which frightened 
residents, children and livestock as well as caused damage in some homes. 
Residents also complained about police entering homes without warrants.

The police said any future planning will include:

* Low-level flying over inhabited areas and those areas containing 
livestock be avoided whenever possible.

* Local detachment personnel form part of the planning team and be more 
closely involved in the eradication of marijuana in their jurisdiction.

* A structured briefing plan be developed to address the issues as well as 
operational issues that have been identified in this and past operations.

PRRD Texada Island director Dave Murphy said he was happy with the RCMP 
response. "I think things are going to be different," he said. "If they 
were not prudent enough to curtail the abuses from last year for this year, 
then there's going to be a heavier price to pay."

Murphy said the Texada Island community understands "there were a few 
individuals that got out of hand and that was the result. There was some 
misinformation between the different groups."

The Canadian military assisted the RCMP by providing helicopters, pilots 
and technicians during the marijuana eradication program.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom