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. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin