Pubdate: Fri, 13 May 2005
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Jack Boland, Toronto Sun	
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

COPS HURT IN DRUG RAID

Apartment Alleged Crackhouse

Two Toronto cops are in hospital suffering from broken bones after they 
tried to arrest a group of men in an alleged high-rise crackhouse.

At 9:50 a.m. yesterday, four officers responded to a 911 call at a 
30th-floor apartment at 200 Wellesley St. E. for "unknown trouble."

Sgt. Brad Quigg, of 51 Div., said as officers tried to make an arrest a 
melee ensued with five people inside the apartment attacking the cops.

All four officers were taken to Mt. Sinai hospital -- one suffering from a 
broken right hand and another with a sprained wrist and broken bone in his 
face -- while the other two were treated and released because their 
injuries were deemed minor.

"During the melee they (officers) lost some of their equipment, a radio and 
pepper spray," Quigg said, but they quickly recovered as dozens of cops 
responded to the "officers need assistance" call.

'A Living Hell'

An Animal Services officer showed up some time later to remove a 
nine-year-old Jack Russell terrier named Chopper from the apartment.

One building resident, who did not want to be identified, shook his head 
when told of the incident.

"This place is a living hell," said the man, who claims he barricades 
himself in his apartment at night.

"I've had my place broken into a couple of times and was pistol whipped 
last year and I've been slapped around," he said. "Every third floor in 
this apartment has a crackhouse on it. I've even had my dog thrown down the 
hallway."

Another resident, Natasha MacAdam, said her mom won't let her go out at 
night when drug dealers roam the hallways.

Three of the five suspects have been arrested and charged with a slew of 
assault charges stemming from the brawl, while two others were released 
without charges.

Two other men, aged 19 and 30, were arrested at the scene and released a 
short time later with no charges laid.

Anyone with information is asked to call 51 Division at (416) 808-5100.
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