Pubdate: Thu, 17 May 2007
Source: Packet & Times (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.orilliapacket.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2397
Author: Courtney Whalen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

COPS TARGET DRUG SCENE

Narcotics Trade Often Linked To Violent Crime, Say Police

While marijuana continues to be viewed by some as a relatively 
harmless drug, the Huronia combined forces drug unit doesn't see it that way.

"I hate it when people say, 'It's just marijuana. Why don't you go 
after the crack?'" said Det. Const. Jay Hutton. "We've seen marijuana 
linked to violence."

A member of the Mnjikaning Police Service, Hutton has been involved 
with the drug unit, which comprises officers from area police forces, 
for more than two years.

He has seen that violence first-hand. On a raid of an outdoor grow 
operation, Hutton said police were confronted by armed men who had 
been left to guard the plants.

It's just one example of the violence and other crimes he said can 
stem from marijuana grow operations.

While Hutton can't cite a percentage, he said he has learned through 
the drug unit's work, as well as communication with police forces 
across the region, that other crimes such as theft or robbery can 
often be attributed to drug use.

In a presentation to area seniors Tuesday, Hutton said grow 
operations are getting more sophisticated, and police often find 
those running the operations are coming from larger centres like Toronto.

He pointed to an operation the drug unit carried out in 2005 where it 
was discovered one group had established eight separate grow 
operations in the area.

"We'll never get rid of the drugs. It's just trying to make our 
communities as safe as possible," he said of the work the drug unit is doing.

One example of that is a recently completed 15-month undercover 
operation that led to the arrest of more than 40 people.

"That really put a jolt in the community," he said.

Hutton said the main drugs on the local scene continue to be 
marijuana, cocaine and crack/cocaine, but the drug unit also tries to 
stay on top of present trends through informants or people being arrested.

"We're really watching out for the crystal meth(amphetamine)," he 
said. "We're really seeing a big hit in western Ontario."

He said fighting drug crime can be a community effort and, along with 
continuing education, information given to police by the public can 
be invaluable.

"People may think it's just a little piece of information, but that 
piece could lead to a search warrant," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman