Pubdate: Fri, 20 Jan 2006
Source: Interlake Spectator, The (CN MB)
Copyright: 2006 The Interlake Spectator
Contact:  http://www.interlakespectator.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2164
Author: Cindy McKay
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

POLICE DRUG RAID WELCOMED BY LAKE MANITOBA CHIEF

One of the ongoing policing priorities of the West Interlake RCMP 
detachment and Lake Manitoba First Nations has been to crack down on 
illegal drug use in the community.

Earlier this month, police sent home a message.

In the early morning of Jan. 3, 40 RCMP officers descended onto Lake 
Manitoba First Nations. Members of Winnipeg's Emergency Response 
Team, along with RCMP members from detachments in Gypsumville, Lundar 
and Ashern executed a search warrant on a house where two adults were 
arrested and taken into custody.

The pair were charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of 
trafficking and firearms charges.

"Lake Manitoba has stated it is a priority to clean up the drug 
problem," Ashern Cpl. Kevin Mantie said at the time. "This is only 
the first of potentially many searches that will be conducted at Lake 
Manitoba in the next few months."

Mantie said that information from an ongoing investigation indicated 
the conditions were right in the timing of the raid.

Chief Robert Maytwayashing said he was taken by surprise at the 
RCMP's actions. He was informed of the incident after it was carried out.

"The RCMP felt they had to move and we support that," Chief 
Maytwayashing said. "Our main concern with drugs is the destruction 
it causes within the community and families."

Maytwayashing blames the economic conditions within the community, 
including lack of adequate employment opportunities and lack of 
government funding for criminal activity.

"Why do people deal drugs? Economics. We are underfunded, there are 
no jobs and some turn to crime to eke out some kind of a living," he 
says of the unfortunate circumstances.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom