Pubdate: Thu, 24 May 2007 Source: Metro (Calgary, CN AB) Copyright: 2007 Free Daily News Group, Inc. Contact: http://www.metronews.ca/archive.aspx?pdfCity=calgary Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4471 Author: Krista Sylvester RAIDS REAP MASSIVE COCAINE CACHE Calgary Police Set Drug Bust Record With 40-Kilogram Haul City cops have sniffed out a whopping 40 kilograms of cocaine, in what the Calgary Police Service is calling the biggest drug bust in its history. A five-month investigation into high-level drug trafficking has led to the seizure of more than $4 million in cocaine, several automatic weapons, handguns, ecstasy and $90,000 in cash after raids over two days in two homes and on two BMWs. "This is a significant drug bust and the biggest in Calgary police history," Acting Staff Sgt. Martin Schiavetta of the organized crime unit said yesterday, as cops displayed the massive seizure. "It is a huge success for us and it gets these weapons off the street where they pose a risk to Calgarians' safety," said Schiavetta. The investigation involved Calgary's gang and organized crime units, investigators from districts 2, 4, 6, 8 and the Edmonton Police Service. The Integrated Proceeds of Crime unit and the National Weapons Enforcement Team were also involved. The latest seizure will hit the drug-trafficking business hard, said Schiavetta, adding city gangs rely largely on drug-selling profits. "Cocaine is the infrastructure of organized crime and street gangs. The distribution of illegal drugs makes gangs work. This is a community problem in which we need community help," he said. District 4 Insp. Rob Williams said the raids put a "huge dent" in Calgary's illegal drug trade. "This is a serious amount of drugs and 38 bricks of cocaine is a lot. But even though it was a major bust, it doesn't mean the drug trade is stopped. But it shows the public we're hitting these guys hard and it is having an effect," Williams said. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek