Pubdate: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 Source: Aldergrove Star (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Central Fraser Valley Star Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.aldergrovestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/989 Author: Michael Hall Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers) COLEMAN VOWS NEW MEASURES AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME Stricter measures are coming to fight organized crime, Solicitor General Rich Coleman told local politicians and police at a meeting recently in Maple Ridge. But what everyone wants is stricter sentencing to deter drug trafficking and associated crimes. "You are all right, we are all frustrated with the criminal justice system," Coleman said. "The question is: how do we get the court system to recognize the needs of our community?" RCMP Insp. Janice Armstrong, transferred last year from Surrey RCMP, said Lower Mainland communities are struggling with drugs. She noted there has also been an increased level of violence related to organized crime of late. RCMP have been focussing on drugs for the past year, raiding marijuana grow operations and crystal meth labs. "A large majority of grow-ops are linked to organized crime," Armstrong said. Several raided last year had a Vietnamese gang connection. Despite that, "a very small percentage of growers ever see the inside of a jail." Coleman said decriminalizing marijuana would be a "huge mistake," warning it could affect exports and entry to the U.S. Coleman said about 3,000 to 4,000 grow-ops a year are raided in the Fraser Valley. About 10,000 a year are raided by police in Whatcom County, Washington. The difference? "They go to jail in Whatcom County and pay a fine." Coleman said decriminalizing marijuana would require a significant investment in policing to fight organized crime. "And that is not in this legislation," he said. "We are not seeing that investment from the federal side." Coleman expects new legislation from the provincial government this session regarding proceeds of crime, allowing police to seize assets from criminals. He said the provincial government also plans to develop a special investigation unit, allowing officers to follow a case from beginning to end. Police in B.C. have conducted separate investigations involving members of the Hells Angels for weapons and drugs. But, "We never go after the criminal organization," he said. "That's about to change." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth