Pubdate: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 Source: Casket, The (CN NS) Copyright: 2010 Antigonish Casket Contact: http://www.thecasket.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4950 Author: Corey LeBlanc STREET CRIME UNIT ZEROING IN ON DRUG DEALERS Marijuana is the drug of choice for traffickers in Antigonish and Guysborough counties. "That's the prevalent one," Antigonish/Guysborough Street Crime Enforcement Unit RCMP Cpl. Ron Bryce said. Bryce added ecstasy is also a "drug of choice," particularly in Antigonish. "We don't find it as much in the rural areas, but it is around." Bryce said powder and crack cocaine are also being sold in the region. "That's happening more in Antigonish as we have been informed, but it is also certainly possible in Guysborough," he added. Unlike in other parts of Nova Scotia, particularly in Cape Breton, Bryce said prescription drugs, such as Oxycontin, are not common. "I don't know how to word it but Antgonish seems to be in its own exclusive category in this regard. "We are not finding a whole lot of that. We are certainly not receiving any information about it being an issue," Bryce added. Another widespread drug, particularly in western Canada, is crystal methamphetamine, but it also doesn't seem to have reached this region. "That's a great thing. It is certainly nice to see that it hasn't," Bryce said. At full strength Even though the street crime enforcement unit is not dealing with some of the drug issues found in other parts of the country, it certainly doesn't mean its four members are not busy. "We are responsible for the reduction of organized crime, which is our main mandate. "For the most part, it includes drug trafficking investigations and also investigations of property crime offenses, such as break and enters and possession of stolen property, which often go hand and hand with the drug offenses," Bryce said. While focussed on street level drug and property crime enforcement, the unit also strives to identify, target and apprehend subjects responsible for drug and property crime in our communities. Bryce said the unit gets involved at the "street level." "We do more the short term projects - information received, we act upon it and charges are laid. We do that type of thing," Bryce said. Since last fall, the unit has been at its full complement of four members. "We have been very successful. We have done more than 20 search warrants," Bryce said of the unit's activities since his arrival last June. Bryce added that activity includes the annual fall marijuana eradication program in the region. "We have seized a street value of more than $1.5 million of drugs in Antigonish and Guysborough counties," he said. Warrants executed As part of the unit's busy last several months have been the issuance and execution of several warrants, including one at a MacLellan Street residence Feb. 26. During the search, police seized a quantity of ecstacy and marijuana. Two people were arrested inside the residence. A 19-year-old male faces charges of possession of a controlled substance. On February 16, the unit executed a search warrant at a Xavier Drive residence, with police officers seizing a quantity of marijuana and hash oil, along with extensive drug paraphernalia. Police arrested a 20-year-old male, who now faces charges of possession of a controlled substance. On February 7, the unit, with assistance from the Antigonish detachment, arrested a 19-year-old male who was travelling in his vehicle. He faces a charge of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. Police seized a large quantity of marijuana and Canadian money. The male was released and is scheduled to appear in an Antigonish court April 21. These charges came on the heels of several arrests made in late January after a street level drug investigation escalated to one of conspiracy to traffic marijuana. With the assistance of the RCMP Truro Drug Section, Police Dog Service Unit and Antigonish Detachment members, two local men, 19 and 20, were arrested for possession for the purpose of trafficking after being stopped on a rural road in Antigonish County on Jan. 27. Police seized what they described as a significant amount of cash and marijuana from the two men. The investigation led to subsequent arrests, along with the execution of a search warrant at an Antigonish residence, where more marijuana was seized. The investigation continued to the provincial capital where a Halifax Regional Police Service Integrated Unit located and arrested a man for possession for the purpose of trafficking. Police seized a significant quantity of marijuana from the man's vehicle. Eventually, police in Antigonish arrested a Montreal man the next day in connection with the case. The suspects have been released and will make court appearances next month in Antigonish. Investigations vary Because of the different circumstances, Bryce said it is hard to estimate the length of time for an investigation. "It might be as short a time frame as two or three days. "Often when the information comes in we have to act upon it quickly because time is of the essence," he said. Bryce added if a judge sees the information is a few days old, he or she may be less likely to issue a warrant. "If it is a one-day old thing or for example we have an informant that observes something at a resident a day earlier or hours earlier, which is even better, we can act upon it. "It might be a really quick turnaround time such as a day or so," Bryce added. With a longer term investigation, which could include multiple sources of information, it could take longer. "As an example, we laid charges for a major cocaine trafficker back in December. "That went on for several months because we had several people working for us so to speak and providing information. We had to combine it all and it took a little bit longer in that case," he said. Help appreciated Bryce said the unit's main course of action comes from information they receive from various sources, including other police officers. "Of course, community members - both those who want to leave their names and others who want to act as anonymous sources. "That's where we get our evidence to hopefully have a search warrant authorized and go take care of business," he said. Bryce said people with information can come forward to the RCMP or also provide assistance anonymously through Crime Stoppers. "It doesn't even have to be through Crime Stoppers. People can call the Antigonish detachment directly," he added. Bryce said information about "odd behaviour" in the neighbourhood can be helpful. "There may be a residence with traffic that comes and goes for very short periods of time, which is very indicative of perhaps a drug trafficker. If someone sees that sort of activity, Bryce suggests he or she take notes, including times or visits, license plate numbers and vehicle descriptions. "If they can, even identities of subjects that are coming and going," he added. Although they are not a "huge issue" in Antigonish, Bryce said the public can help police in the search for indoor marijuana growing operations. "With something like that going on you might see covered windows of course in a house or maybe people not living there - popping in every week or so for a few minutes," he added. 'Fairly typical' Bryce agreed it is difficult to quantify the level of drug trafficking and use in Antigonish and Guysborough counties. "It's all relative," he said, noting his RCMP service started in B.C. "There are certainly bigger issues out there as a general rule. "Even compared to other Maritime communities, I think the marijuana and ecstasy prevalence in this community is pretty equal to other similar sized communities," he added. Bryce said there are no issues here that other parts of the Maritimes aren't dealing with. "It's there and it's fairly typical. "I don't think any drug use or abuse has increased in the last year for example. I just think our unit has had very good success in recent months in acquiring information and being able to take some action." - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart