HTTP/1.0 200 OK Content-Type: text/html Police Say Marijuana Sold To Students At Pizza Parlour
Pubdate: Fri, 15 Aug 2008
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2008 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Stephane Massinon

POLICE SAY MARIJUANA SOLD TO STUDENTS AT PIZZA PARLOUR

William Aberhart High School students could satisfy their munchies 
with Your Choice Pizza's $3.50 special that got you a slice of 
pepperoni or cheese pizza and some chips.

But it's what was allegedly sold under the counter that brought some 
students to the pizza parlour directly across the street from the school.

Calgary Police Service searched the business and its owner's house 
Wednesday night in relation to an alleged drug trafficking operation 
based at the pizza store. Police found marijuana, money, a debit 
machine and 38 student ID cards and believe the drugs were being sold 
to students and residents.

Staff Sgt. Greg Johnson said the fact the alleged drug sales were 
happening right across the street from a high school is "unfortunate."

"It's not something that we see a whole lot. But as a result of 
getting some information during the school year, we were able to 
conduct an investigation," said Johnson.

Further investigation is needed to determine why the store had so 
many student IDs.

Former student Chris Qurring, who graduated in 2005, was surprised to 
hear about the charges when he pulled up in front of the store, which 
was closed for the day.

"It's bad, I guess," he said.

In his experience, he said there is no more drug usage at the high 
school than at other schools.

Police seized 50 grams of marijuana and $825 from the house.

Sherry Freeborn, owner of Twice Sold Tales, a used book store near 
the pizza store, said there have always been drugs near the school. 
Since the recent sale of the pizza business, Freeborn said she's 
noticed a change in behaviour from students that went there.

"They started herding here a lot more. They were just hanging out, 
standing here, waiting at the door when there's no pizza place open," Freeborn.

Freeborn asked her 22-year-old about the odd behaviour, and he told 
her it was likely drugs. She says she brought her concerns to the 
school and its on-site police officer.

"He acted like a kid," Freeborn said of the owner.

"He partied with them; he acted like they did," she said.

Calgary Board of Education spokesman Ted Flitton said schools do 
their best to educate students about drugs.

"I think it is a community issue. I think schools are doing a great 
amount of work to teach students about the dangers of drugs to make 
them make responsible choices for themselves," he said.

Police have charged Piotr (Peter) Krol, 27, with four counts of 
trafficking marijuana, two counts of possession for the purpose of 
trafficking and three counts of proceeds of crime.
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