Pubdate: Thu, 17 May 2007
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Matthew Kruchak, Times Colonist
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public figures or officials.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

POLICE: CRYSTAL METH BUST WILL CUT SUPPLY ON STREETS

Operation Ends With One Man In Custody, Seizure Of Drugs And Cash

Victoria police are confident their record-setting seizure of crystal 
methamphetamine will have a positive impact on city streets.

A month-long investigation resulted in the discovery Tuesday of one 
kilogram of crystal meth with a street value of $50,000 to $80,000, 
the city's largest seizure of the drug to date.

"Any time you arrest somebody with this quantity of crystal meth, it 
will make a significant impact," said Sgt. Grant Hamilton, Victoria 
Police Department spokesman.

The seizure will send low-level meth dealers scrambling to find 
another supplier and could cause them to contemplate their illicit 
actions, said Const. Conor King, a Victoria police drug expert.

"This can be a deterrent," he said. "They can see that [a man 
charged] is in police custody and their day may come too."

An ounce, King said, would usually be divided into 1,000 individually 
packaged hits and sold for $5 to $10 each.

If the crystal meth was planned for sale on the streets of Victoria, 
the scale of the seizure could cause a shortage and a price increase, 
said B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall.

"The impacts may be temporary, depending on the pipeline to the 
buying community."

Police found the drug when they pulled over a car.

Officers later searched a home in the 4300-block of Torrington Place 
in Gordon Head, where they discovered one kilogram of cocaine, worth 
between $60,000 and $80,000 on the street. They also found $15,000 in 
cash hidden throughout the home.

Taking one of only a few highly efficient meth dealers in the region 
off the street will cause a disturbance in the drug trade, King said, 
but only temporarily. "There's always guys to fill in the void," he 
said. "I can't tell you a time frame for someone to fill in, but it's 
inevitable."

However, "If a dozen people don't have meth from this seizure, it 
means a dozen people we won't have to deal with."

Crystal meth speeds up the body's central nervous system, increasing 
heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure.

The drug produces a euphoric rush for eight to 12 hours but effects 
on the brain are detrimental, King said, adding that it's easy to use 
because it doesn't have to be injected. It's also easy to make, as 
simple as following a recipe.

"It isn't something that happy kids will take and turn into 
scab-picking people," Kendall said. "We have to properly educate them."

Victoria police were aided in the investigation by Central Saanich 
police and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.

[Name redacted], 39, is charged with two counts of possession for the 
purpose of trafficking and one count of breach of recognizance.

He has been remanded in custody and is to appear in court next Tuesday.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman