Pubdate: Tue, 21 Jul 2015 Source: Kings County Advertiser, The (CN NS) Copyright: 2015 Transcontinental Media Contact: http://www.kingscountynews.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4746 Author: Ashley Thompson Page: 3 STREET CRIME UNIT TAKING 'A HUGE BITE OUT OF OUR DRUG CRIMES' KENTVILLE - The Annapolis Valley's integrated crime unit seized more than $179,000 worth of drugs off of the streets in the operating quarter that ended June 30. Kentville Police Service acting chief Ken Reade presented the latest quarterly report for the Valley Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit at the Kentville's committee of council meeting July 13. The unit charged 28 people with a combined total of 63 criminal charges, and 25 drug-related charges, following the execution of 13 warrants. The document lists the total street value of all of the drugs seized - - marijuana, cocaine, pot plants, hash, prescription pills and psilocybin - as $179,151. The amount of property seized by VISCEU in the same time frame has an estimated combined worth of $14,700, Reade reported. Weapons seized by members included five long guns, one crossbow, an expandable baton and brass knuckles. "It's unbelievable what they're doing. The drugs and the firearms and the break and enters that these guys are cleaning up affects everybody at the end of the day," Reade told Kentville council. The VISCEU is comprised of members of the Kentville Police Service, Kings District RCMP and Windsor District RCMP. The statistics Reade shared relate to communities stretching from Hants County to Annapolis County, he said. Kings District RCMP Insp. Chris MacNaughton is thrilled with the VISCEU's success to date. "RCMP Kings District is very proud of the Valley Integrated Street Crime Unit and its strong policing partnership with the Kentville Police Service," she said. "These incredible police officers have been very dedicated and credited for taking a huge bite out of our drug crimes throughout the Annapolis Valley." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom