Pubdate: Sat, 01 Aug 2009 Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Abbotsford News Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/BkAJKrUD Website: http://www.abbynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155 PROJECT TIP YOUR DEALER SCORES BIG Abbotsford Police have seized a sizable quantity of drugs after launching a new strategy to combat trafficking in Abbotsford's downtown core. Const. Ian MacDonald said the department's bike squad and beat team paired up and are targeting dealers in the area. The officers are using a variety of methods, such as possibly using undercover officers to make contact with drug traffickers and make arrests. The project started on Monday and is already making progress, said MacDonald. Within the first two days, officers seized 74 pieces of crack cocaine of various weights, 51 flaps of heroin, several thousand dollars in cash and five cellphones and electronic devices. "This is not a huge area, so in a two-day period, that's a pretty good haul," said MacDonald. The project, named Tip Your Dealer, was primarily launched because of community complaints. "We believe it's important to target drug trafficking because people involved in the activity prey on local residents who are drug-dependent, it causes disruption to downtown businesses and creates a sense of fear for citizens trying to go about their daily activities," he said. Two Abbotsford men, aged 18 and 19, are facing drug trafficking charges. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart