Pubdate: Mon, 30 May 2005
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Calgary Sun
Contact:  http://www.fyicalgary.com/calsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Mike D'Amour
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

STAKES HIGH IN LUCRATIVE DOPE TRADE

The lucrative illegal drug trade is at the root of a possible war
between bikers and Asian groups -- and the stakes are high.

Warring factions so value the huge money they make importing and
selling dope that some are willing to kill, or die, to protect their
interests.

Cops will be the first to admit they nab only a small portion of dope
hitting the streets, so consider what's out there given the cops'
banner year in nailing just marijuana grow operations.

The RCMP and Calgary Police Service's joint forces team Project SAMIT
(Southern Alberta Marijuana Investigation Team) nabbed more than $100
million in plants from various locations in 2004.

The haul is the result of 224 search warrants, many of which were
generated by calls from the public.

The warrants led to 284 charges being laid against 102
people.

While the number is impressive, police in the special squad could have
done more, but -- according to the most recent Central Intelligence
Service Alberta (CISA) annual report -- simply didn't have the
manpower to pull it off. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake