Pubdate: Tue, 02 Feb 2010
Source: Nelson Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Nelson Daily News
Contact: http://www.nelsondailynews.com/section/nelson0303&template=letter
Website: http://www.nelsondailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/288
Author: Colin Payne

POLICE SEIZE CHOPPER

KOOTENAY CRIME: Local RCMP take helicopter used for cross-border drug 
runs out of local airspace; investigation continues into what is 
considered a unique case

For the first time in B.C. law enforcement history, Nelson RCMP have 
seized a helicopter used regularly to transport drugs to and from the 
United States.

The chopper was seized under the Provincial Civil Forfeiture Act from 
a remote corner of a large rural property south of Silverton in an 
early morning operation on January 23 by police officers from the 
Nelson Border Integrity Program (NBIP) and other RCMP detachments in 
the region.

The Bell 206B Jet Ranger helicopter, painted flat black for 
camouflage and modified to carry a maximum payload, now sits under a 
tarp at the Nelson RCMP headquarters.

But over the year-and-a-half investigation, police allegedly observed 
the helicopter make at least 10 flights back and forth across the 
49th parallel.

Sergeant Dennis Blanch of the NBIP said this particular helicopter 
has been on the police radar since August of 2007.

"This helicopter has been stored in at least five different locations 
throughout the Kootenays. It was moved and stored under tarps until 
the next shipments arrived," said Blanch, who was involved in 
Operation Blade Runner, a joint RCMP and U.S. DEA operation that 
seized two similar helicopters carrying large loads of marijuana 
across the border in February 2009.

Blanch said the helicopter was most often flown by unlicensed or 
student license pilots in low light conditions at tree level, often 
through bad weather to avoid detection by border enforcement agents and police.

Pilots would use the chopper to make short hops across the border 
from one rural location to another, allegedly bringing as much as 400 
pounds of pot and sometimes ecstasy out of the country and returning 
with a payload of cocaine.

Blanch added that it hasn't seen a regular inspection to ensure 
compliance with federal safety regulations since 2006 and has had 
several modifications made to it, including the removal of the back 
seats to allow larger loads, call signs and marker lights.

He noted that the usage of the helicopter and the lack of proper 
maintenance on the machine alone make it a danger to public safety - 
aside from its use for criminal activity.

No one was arrested as a result of the investigation.

Blanch said the nature of this type of investigation requires the 
people involved to be caught in the act, which is often difficult to do.

But he said arresting the pilots and people on the ground is only the 
tip of the iceberg, and the goal of police is to get at the organized 
crime bosses behind the drug production and cross-border smuggling rings.

Blanch added that seizing assets like helicopters, vehicles, bank 
accounts and houses is an effective tool for that purpose and hits 
the ringleaders where it hurts - in the pocketbook.

"We want the courts to hit criminals right in the wallet and, in this 
case, take away an expensive asset that assists them in trafficking 
controlled drugs," Blanch said

Because it hasn't had regular maintenance, the value of the Bell 
206B, assessed for salvageable parts is about $200,000. If brought up 
to code, the value would be about $500,000.

If the owner of the helicopter wants the aircraft back, they'll have 
to show up at a civil forfeiture hearing to claim it.

But Blanch said the amount of fines from violations of federal 
transport regulations alone might make that appearance unprofitable 
for the owner.

"Based on offences related to the 10 flights, there will be well in 
excess of $200,000 in fines," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart