Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jan 2001
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Hacker Press Ltd.
Contact:  604-853-9808
Website: http://www.abbynews.com/
Author: Al Irwin

INTERNATIONAL DRUG SMUGGLING RING SMASHED

Lower Mainland criminals used a $600,000 Aerospeciale Astar helicopter 
based in  Abbotsford to smuggle marijuana into the U.S. Cocaine, handguns 
and other weapons  may have been brought into Canada on the return flights.

At a media conference on Tuesday by Langley RCMP - local, provincial and 
U.S. officers outlined a two-year international investigation that netted 
booty including the Astar 350  helicopter in the U.S., and in Canada two 
late-model Mercedes cars, a 1996 F350 Ford  truck, a speedboat, $480,000 in 
U.S. currency, $104,000 in Canadian bills, three kilograms of cocaine worth 
about $120,000, two loaded handguns, several shotguns  and rifles, four 
Tazer stun guns, two crossbows and an assortment of stolen goods  including 
motorcycles.

The investigation, code-named Operation Norfolk, ranged from Abbotsford to 
Surrey in  Canada, and in the United States from the remote Mount Baker 
area where the  helicopter landed on numerous occasions, to residences and 
hotels in Bellingham. In both Canada and the U.S., officials have seized 
the purchased goods under proceeds of crime legislation.

Langley detachment spokesman Cpl. Garry Begg said the investigation began 
when a Canadian currency exchange reported large currency transactions, a 
requirement under  Canadian law.

The investigation was begun by the RCMP Integrated Proceeds of Crime 
Section, and  over two years included Langley RCMP, the Organized Crime 
Agency of B.C., the United   States Customs Service and other police forces 
including Abbotsford City and Delta  Police officers.

Five Canadians and nine Americans have been arrested. The Canadians were 
arrested last week, but in at least one instance one had been arrested last 
summer, both by Langley RCMP and U.S. Customs officers.

On June 17, 2000, local police picked up a number of people in possession 
of 30  pounds of marijuana. On June 23, 2000, U.S. Customs arrested one 
Canadian (the  same man Langley RCMP busted six days earlier) and four 
Americans with 21 pounds  of marijuana, in Bellingham.

Some of the accused are associated with a motorcycle gang.

On Sept. 10, when Organized Crime Agency officers and Abbotsford City 
Police searched  an Abbotsford house, a known member of an "outlaw 
motorcycle gang" was present.

Police seized $250,000 in U.S. currency, $104,000, 20 pounds of marijuana, 
one  kilogram of cocaine, two loaded handguns and other weapons. From a 
vehicle in the  yard the police seized another two kilograms of cocaine.

Begg said arrests in Alberta may be possible. He also said the suspects 
arrested were  "one small cell" of a criminal organization.

"We know we have a huge job."

Rodney Tureaud, special agent with the Department of Treasury, U.S. Customs 
Service,  said his officers had worked co-operatively with Canadian police.

"I'm encouraged. This is the best working relationship I have seen anywhere 
. . . not  just (international). I'm talking about local, state (and 
federal) co-operation."

Tureaud said the helicopter had been based at an Abbotsford home, and flew 
to a  remote logging road area near Mount Baker. Capable of carrying a 
1,000-pound payload, the U.S. Customs officers seized the helicopter and 85 
pounds of B.C.-grown  marijuana in December.

The investigation began in June, 1999, when U.S. Customs officers arrested 
a  Canadian and an American, at Squalicum Harbour in Washington.

They were in the process of dismantling a B.C. registered pickup truck. 
They also had  32 pounds of marijuana. During the investigation,residential 
and cellular numbers of a  Canadian were discovered.

On July 8, 1999, Langley RCMP and E Division Proceeds of Crime officers 
were advised   that a Washington State man and two Canadians were 
"laundering" money at a B.C.  currency exchange. One of the Canadians 
turned out to be the owner of the phone  numbers U.S. officials found at 
Squalicum Harbour in June.

Begg said some of the suspects blend in well with the general population.

"It is a normal family home (the house of a suspect couple in Surrey) in a 
normal  subdivision. Just normal people."

Begg said that while some cocaine was coming into Canada, it did not appear 
to be a pound-for-pound exchange.

The Canadian suspects have been released and will not be named until 
charges are  laid.

Charges pending include trafficking, possession for the purpose of 
trafficking,  conspiracy to traffic and conspiracy to export narcotics and 
possession of property obtained through crime, said Sgt. Randy Elliot, of 
the Organized Crime Agency of B.C.
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