Pubdate: Sat, 14 Mar 2009
Source: Intelligencer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2009, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.intelligencer.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2332
Author: Shelby Parker
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

CRACK IN THE CITY

Belleville's Coke Habit

Many in Belleville say it seems the streets are awash in cocaine and
crack cocaine.

Police, though, says it's not so much that there's more drugs in the
Quinte area -- although there is more crack and coke than, say, a
decade ago -- but more is being done to find drug dealers, said Det.
Insp. Mike Graham.

"We're just better at enforcement," said Graham.

The evidence to back up the statement is piled up on the table in
front of him.

On the night before Graham spoke with The Intelligencer about the
state of the drug problem in Belleville and how a joint-force team
called Longarm is battling it, the team arrested six suspected dealers
and seized thousands of dollars worth of drugs from a residence in
Belleville.

Project Longarm started in 2001 and consists of three officers from
Belleville plus one officer each from Ontario Provincial Police
detachments in Bancroft, Madoc and Picton. Two from the OPP Quinte
West detachment are also on board.

Graham said the team aspect of the initiative is the secret to its
success.

"It's the longest standing and most successful (drug) unit in
Ontario," said Sgt. Beth Harder who added that while drug bust numbers
may seem to be on the rise, it's only because news of Longarm's
successes is regularly shared with local media.

Both Graham and Harder agree that any amount of drugs in the area --
particularly an increase in recent years of the volume of cocaine and
crack from the Toronto area -- brings on more related crimes with
violence and guns.

"We have gun crimes that we never saw 10 years ago," said Graham.
"It's not so much for the police, but as protection from getting
ripped off from other drug dealers."

He also said the last few homicides in the Quinte area were either the
direct result of drugs, or the victims and shooters were involved in
the drug environment.

The big drug in the spotlight for police and on the streets is crack
cocaine.

"That's the biggest problem drug right now," confirmed
Graham.

In August 2008, dozens of people were charged and $7 million in drugs,
property and guns were seized in an undercover initiative named
Project Fortitude.

The case involved elements of Belleville police and the OPP. At the
end of the initiative, 350 tactical officers raided 37 locations,
arresting 27 suspects from Toronto to Napanee.

Recently, Belleville resident James Thompson, 43, Chuck Rank, 31, of
Quinte West, and Derrick Pang, 32, of Belleville all pleaded guilty to
drug possession and trafficking charges. All three are serving four to
five years in prison.

But even Graham admits the war on drugs is an ongoing
battle.

"For every drug dealer we take off the street, there's another one
coming in to take his place," said Graham.

"That disrupts the trade, it doesn't stop it."

The drugs are coming from places like Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto,
Graham said, adding drugs aren't just a local issue. "We're not worse
or better than any other jurisdiction."

Harder agreed drug dealers will continue to come to the area as long
as there are people who will buy drugs.

"If there is a need, there will be a product," she
said.

"That's just a fact of life," agreed Graham.

With the addictiveness of crack cocaine, Graham says police see the
same offenders over and over.

"Once you do it, you're in and into the drug subculture," he said,
adding that until people get help or kicks drugs, they keep themselves
immersed in the criminal world.

But if even the police can't see the light at the end of the drug
tunnel, how can it end?

"We can't solve it, we enforce it," explained Graham.

"We can't do it alone," added Harder, saying the community needs to
work together to get to the bottom of the problem.

"Starting from the judges down," said Graham emphatically.

Although the veteran Belleville officer stresses he "support(s) any
decision made by the judges," if legislation allowed more stringent
penalties for drug dealers and traffickers, things might change.

"Something has to catch their (dealers) attention," he
said.

"If you ask any police officer, you'll hear we would like to see
harsher punishments.

"(But) That's not my decision."

He conceded recent changes in federal legislation dealing with drug
crimes are "heading in the right direction," but both Graham and
Harder said police still rely on the community's help.

"Everything they give us is helpful," said Graham, who said police
sometimes rely on residents' tips to find local drug havens.

Graham said that when people see any suspicious behaviour, they should
report it to the police, whether it be cars driving in and out all
hours of the day and night or anything they find to be out of place.

Anyone who has any tips on suspicious activity going on in their
neighbourhoods can call, (613) 966-0882 or 1-800- 222-TIPS.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin