Pubdate: Fri, 26 Nov 2004
Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Peace Arch News
Contact:  http://www.peacearchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333
Author: Monique Tamminga
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

BORDER BUSTER NABBED

Langley RCMP made the largest cocaine seizure in recent B.C. history
Sunday, after a Quesnel man crashed his car through the Pacific
Highway border crossing and was arrested in Aldergrove.

Police discovered 149 kg of cocaine in a rented car. The street value
of the bricks of cocaine is estimated at $12 million.

"It's no doubt linked to organized crime," Cpl. Dale Carr
said.

"It's only organized crime that has that kind of funding to move that
much product."

A 67-year-old man had been under U.S. surveillance when U.S.
authorities saw an exchange in Bellingham Sunday, Carr said. After the
exchange, the American authorities followed a suspect. Near the
border, customs officials pulled the vehicle over. The suspect
provided U.S. authorities identification then made a dash for the border.

U.S. Customs maintained contact with the vehicle. At 8 p.m., Langley
RCMP arrested a suspect at 264 Street and 20 Avenue.

"He was arrested without incident. It took 45 minutes from the time he
crashed the border to the time Langley RCMP pulled him over," Carr
said.

Robert Norton Allaire of Quesnel has been charged with importing a
controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin