Pubdate: Wed, 03 Jul 2013
Source: Northern View, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 The Northern View
Contact:  http://www.thenorthernview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4366
Author: Shaun Thomas

UPDATE LEADS TO MORE QUESTIONS

The update provided by RCMP on The Chad Smoke Shop raid leaves more
questions than it provides answers.

In the original story, Const. Matt Ericson said this was an
investigation the RCMP took on. Const. Ericson and I have spoken
several times since, once he questioned something he felt was
attributed to him that wasn't, and never once was the cause of the
investigation a point of contention. At no point did he say I got it
wrong - not when he read it online and not when it hit the streets.
Why the sudden change?

Secondly, if this was related to youth ingesting a substance that
caused them to be sick as the RCMP now claim, why wasn't the public
told about it and why wasn't the substance named so others in the
community can avoid it? One would think that a matter of public safety
is something the public should be told about as it emerges, not almost
20 days after the initial warrant.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, if this raid had to do with an
illicit drug being ingested by minors, why did the RCMP not only point
to the section of the Criminal Code prohibiting the sale of such
instruments but warn other businesses in town not to sell pipes and
bongs? The sale of pipes and bongs has absolutely zero to do with the
sale of substances that cause people to become ill. If these
businesses weren't selling the substance in question, why did the RCMP
talk to them and have them empty their shelfs?

Since the story about The Chad Smoke Shop surfaced, the Prince Rupert
RCMP has taken its fair share of criticism from around the country
where stores are free to sell pipes, bongs and grinders without RCMP
interference. And, perhaps by coincidence, but not likely, the
"clarification" came the same day as noted cannabis crusader Dana
Larsen of Sensible BC flew to Prince Rupert to hand the detachment the
"Biggest Waste of Police Time" trophy.

A few weeks ago I wrote something stunk about The Chad Smoke Shop
raid. Something about this stinks just as bad.
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MAP posted-by: Matt