Pubdate: Fri, 20 May 2005
Source: Niagara This Week (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing
Contact:  http://www.niagarathisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3733
Author: Joe Fantauzzi
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

Cops Crack Down on 'Drug Dens'

Three Raids in St. Kitts

ST. CATHARINES -- Police in St. Catharines have performed three
significant raids in what appears to be an ongoing blitz against the
users and dealers of crack cocaine.

Last Thursday, NRPS officers with the St. Catharines division street
crime unit acted on intelligence gathered about narcotics trafficking
in the city core.

Police allege a man was seen making a number of drug deals throughout
the city. At around 3:15 p.m., the NRPS conducted a traffic stop and
placed the man under arrest for dope peddling.

A large amount of cash and an estimated $5,000 in suspected crack
cocaine were seized.

A 34-year-old man of no fixed address has been charged with possession
of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for
the purpose of trafficking.

Last Tuesday afternoon around 3:30 p.m., street crime officers say
they watched a woman leaving what they allege is a known drug den in
the St. Paul and James Streets area and get into a car.

The NRPS approached the vehicle and arrested her for driving while
prohibited. Two men sitting in the car were arrested for breaching the
conditions of a release order. Police say they also found crack and
approximately $250 in stolen clothing.

A 41-year-old woman, a 36-year-old woman, a 54-year-old man and a
39-year-old man, all from St. Catharines have been charged with
possession of a controlled substance and possession of stolen goods.
Both men were also charged with breach of undertaking.

And, on Friday, a man, who police say had been released from custody
with conditions because of a previous criminal record, was seen
leaving an allegedly known crack house on St. Paul Street.

The man was arrested for breaching his probation and found to be
carrying crack rocks when officers searched him. A 22-year-old St.
Catharines man has been charged with possession of a controlled
substance and breaching his probation. 
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