Pubdate: Wed, 23 Dec 2009
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2009 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Ian Bailey
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

B.C. calls on Ottawa to tighten drug laws

Only federal government can make it illegal to possess chemicals used 
to make drugs, Solicitor-General says

B.C.'s Solicitor-General is challenging the federal Conservative 
government to do more to "close the loopholes" that allow criminals 
to produce such destructive synthetic drugs as ecstasy and crystal meth.

Kash Heed urged Ottawa Tuesday to crack down on access to the 
chemicals used to manufacture such drugs, saying only the federal 
government can engineer the sweeping legislation required to make it 
illegal to possess them.

"What [B.C.] can do within our powers, we're doing," he told 
reporters at a news conference where the RCMP announced the outcome 
of an 18-month investigation that saw the arrests of nine people 
importing ingredients - two of them linked to Asian organized crime.

"What we cannot do is close the loopholes that allow criminals to 
bring in precursor materials that could be turned into ecstasy, known 
as MDMA, and other drugs that are allowing criminals to prosper while 
our citizens suffer," said Mr. Heed, reading from a prepared statement.

"We need Ottawa to do that. We need Ottawa to have tougher controls 
and tighter regulations on precursors in Canada."

During the news conference, police displayed two shotguns and four 
rifles, thousands of dollars in cash - a total of $250,000 was seized 
in the investigation - and compounds used to produce illegal synthetic drugs.

The RCMP are recommending various charges against the suspects - two 
women and seven men - who have yet to be identified.

Superintendent Brian Cantera, officer in charge of the federal Drug 
Enforcement Branch, offered some support to the minister, the former 
West Vancouver police chief.

"Additional regulations on precursor chemicals and equipment utilized 
to manufacture synthetic drugs would give police the tools we need to 
keep these highly addictive and destructive drugs off our streets," 
Supt. Cantera said.

Mr. Heed saluted the work of the Mounties on the file.

"What I am not satisfied with is the fact that these precursors are 
still available through these loopholes and criminal organizations 
exploit those loopholes and, as a result, set up shop here in British 
Columbia," he said.

The minister said his government has written to the federal ministers 
of Health, Justice and Public Safety on the matter, but that 
additional lobbying is required.

"We will be more vocal about what we need them to do to assist us to 
destroy these networks," he said.

Mr. Heed outlined a number of necessary steps, including regulations 
that allow for a quick response to changes in drug crime.

"We don't have two, three, five or even 10 years to wait. While we 
review and examine, criminal gangs are importing, manufacturing and 
selling millions of dollars worth of drugs that enslave people, 
destroy families and ruin our communities," he said.

There was no response by press time from the regional office for 
federal ministers in B.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom