Pubdate: Tue, 23 Apr 2002 Source: Ladysmith-Chemanius Chronicle (CN BC) Copyright: 2002 BC Newspaper Group & New Media Contact: http://www.ladysmithchronicle.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1279 Author: Erin Fletcher BOATERS TO HELP IN WAR ON DRUGS Common sense and a careful eye by the local boating community may help eradicate drug smuggling in coastal waters. This summer the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP and the local Coast Guard Auxiliary will be actively promoting the RCMP Coastal Watch Program, which is like the Neighbourhood Watch Program, but on the water, says North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Cpl. Brian Brown. "We can't be everywhere and we look to the public to be our eyes and ears," said Brown. "It's their coast. It goes back to being the basic principle of policing, the public are the police and the police are the public." Drug smuggling along the Vancouver Island Coast line is a real problem. About 10 per cent of the cocaine and 50 per cent of the marijuana imported into Canada arrives by water. Smuggling along this coastline started in the early 1900s with the liquor runs during prohibition and now drugs are the cargo of choice. Brown aid he has photographs of "tons and tons" of marijuana bales and hash seized from vessels along the Island's coast. "This is nothing new," said Brown. "There are lots of coves and bays and places to hide." Anyone who is familiar with normal marine activity can help including recreational to professional boaters, fuel dock attendants, vessel brokers and those who live or work near the water. Suspicious activity may include a vessel operating outside of normal fishing or shipping lanes, a vessel operating outside normal fishing times, a run at night without lights, a vessel not carrying the right equipment for the work it is supposed to be doing or an off load cargo in unusual or isolated areas. If someone sees these kind of activities, information like the vessel description, name, registration number, the activities and any other vessel involvement are important as well as the date and time. Brown said people should call right away because the RCMP have a greater chance of catching the culprits. Tips can be anonymous and identities are kept confidential. If you see suspicious boating activities call the BC Coastal Watch Hotline at 1-888-855-6655 or call the Rescue Coordination Centre on the boat radio. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh