Several arrests made in drug raids

The Daily News must hate it when news happens on a Friday; generally it means that the details won’t make it to the broadsheet printings until Tuesday. Such is the fate of the big story of the weekend, a press release last Saturday morning from the Prince Rupert RCMP, that listed a number of drug investigations that resulted in charges over the last week.

Playing catch up, the Daily News examined the background developments on story on the front page of Tuesday’s paper.

SWOOPS AT ALLEGED DRUG HOMES NET SEVERAL ARRESTS
RCMP task force executes series of raids targeting alleged dealers
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Tuesday, February 13, 2006
Pages one and three

Local RCMP from an array of different units banded together and got tough on drugs last week.

“The Prince Rupert RCMP developed a task force, from several units of the Prince Rupert RCMP detachment, to target local drug trafficking activities,” said Const. Steve Richards, RCMP media liaison and community policing officer. “Four separate search warrants were successfully executed on four separate residences during this six-day period.”

The first search warrant was executed on a residence on the 1000 block of Seventh Avenue East. As a result of this search warrant, a large quantity of marijuana and a sum of cash were seized. Charges of Possession of for the Purpose of Trafficking are being forward against a 48 year old man from Prince Rupert.

The second search warrant was in relation to a residence on the 500 block of Sixth Avenue West. A quantity of marijuana and cash was again seized from this residence.

“This was the second search warrant conducted at this residence in a three-month period,” said Richards.

“Charges of Possession of Marijuana for the Purpose of Trafficking have been submitted in relation to both of these investigations against a 48 year old male from Prince Rupert.”

The third search warrant was executed on Thursday night, at a residence on the 200 block of Eleventh Street. A large quantity of cocaine and cash was seized from this residence. A charge of Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking is being recommended against at 42 year old man from Prince Rupert. This same man was also arrested in October 2006 and is facing similar charges for that investigation.

“The last search warrant was the result of a residential fire in the 800 block of Comox Avenue, where marijuana grow operation was located.” he said. “The fire was identified by a member of the task force who immediately attended the residence and evacuated the occupants, including a one year old and a two year old child.”

The Prince Rupert Fire Department attended to extinguish the fire and located approximately 100 marijuana plants in the attic. This investigation is ongoing and charges are anticipated for Cultivation of Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana for the Purpose of Trafficking.”

The implementation of this task force is being called a huge success by the Prince Rupert RCMP.

“The production and distribution of illicit substances is considered a high priority within our community, and will continue to be a focus with the goal of providing a safer community,” said Richards. “The Prince Rupert RCMP wish to that the members of our community that have supported this endeavor by providing assistance and information.”