Pubdate: Tue, 11 Mar 2008
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Chris Doucette

96 ARRESTED IN DRUG-DEALING SWEEP

A Toronto Police crackdown on crack dealers in Parkdale  and other
west-end neighbourhoods has so far led to the  arrests of 96 people --
who have racked up almost 1,600  prior convictions.

And although it seems like a battle they'll never win,  police say
they remain committed to cleaning up  troubled areas.

"It's not a losing battle," Det.-Sgt. Ed Roseto said  yesterday after
releasing details of the first five  weeks of a major undercover
operation targeting  street-level drug dealers.

"We're continuing to fight the fight ... we will remain  in the area
and keep working at it."

Dubbed Project ICE -- Infiltrate Crack Entrepreneurs --  the operation
involved 14 Division and drug squad  officers, among others, in five
areas where residents  have complained about trafficking.

Undercover drug squad officers hit the streets in early  February in
the neighbourhoods -- Bloor St. W. and  Ossington Ave., Bloor St. W.
and Lansdowne Ave., Queen  St. W. and Lansdowne Ave., Queen St. W. and
Bathurst  St., and King St. W. and Dufferin St.

To date, Roseto said 238 mostly drug-related charges  have been
laid.

The arrests led to the seizure of 318 grams of cocaine  and crack with
a street value of more than $30,000,  415.48 grams of marijuana worth
$800, and more than  $10,000 in alleged drug money.

Hash, Special K, Ecstasy, GHB, LSD and magic mushrooms  have also been
taken off the streets.

"We're very happy with the results," drug squad  Staff-Insp. Don
Campbell said. "And I'll tell you right  now, it's not going to end
here."

But while police are trying to get the drug dealers off  the street,
the real difficulty seems to be keeping  them off.

Of the 96 accused, Roseto said 45 were out on bail when  arrested and
seven were free on two or more bail  releases.

Campbell noted that more than 60% of those charged  don't live in 14
Division.

"It tells me that people from across the city are going  to that area
for the purpose of plying their trade and  selling drugs to those who
need it."

Donna Cowan, a resident of the Bloor and Lansdowne  area, said she
encounters drug users, dealers and  sex-trade workers regularly.

"I drive down my laneway and I brace (myself). I don't  know what I'm
going to be confronted by."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Derek