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.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart