Pubdate: Sat, 28 Feb 2009 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 The Vancouver Sun Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477 Author: Kim Bolan Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing) MANDATORY SENTENCES FOR TRAFFICKERS REINTRODUCED Drug-Dealing Linked To Organized Crime To Carry One-Year Prison Term Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson reintroduced Criminal Code changes Friday to give mandatory minimum sentences to drug traffickers linked to organized crime. Nicholson made the announcement at RCMP headquarters in Vancouver after a meeting with the regional chiefs of police and senior RCMP officers. "If drug trafficking is carried out for organized crime purposes, or a weapon or weapons is involved, the offence would carry a one-year mandatory prison sentence," Nicholson said. "And if the drug is sold to youth or trafficking takes place near a school, or an area normally frequented by young people, the sentence would be increased to two years." A similar law was on the books last fall until Parliament was dissolved for the Oct. 14 election. And with rampant gang and gun violence turning heads in Metro Vancouver, Nicholson said the changes are necessary and timely. "The safety and security of Canadians remains our most important responsibilities and we believe that security is threatened by drug trafficking and drug production. These activities lead to more crime, more gang activity on our streets, and more risk to law enforcement officers," he said. Nicholson said the new law "is not intended to further punish those who are addicted to drugs" who can choose drug courts and treatment over jail. Liberal critic Ujjal Dosanjh said his party supports the mandatory sentences, but is concerned the Tories are not putting any new money into preventative measures, despite claiming they don't intend to punish addicts. "They say that people have the option of being sent to drug courts and the drug courts would have the option to send them for treatment, but they allocate or provide no additional dollars for the drug court or for treatment facilities," Dosanjh said. "They are not even spending the crime prevention money that they allocate every year." The bill includes a two-year mandatory sentence for running a large marijuana growing operation of 500 plants or more and would increase maximum penalties for pot production from seven years to 14 years. "The people who are bringing drugs into this country -- importing drugs or exporting drugs -- we know that these people are connected to gangs or organized crime, so we are sending out a very clear message to them. They can expect jail time if you are importing drugs into this country," Nicholson said. Nicholson said the sentencing changes are part of a bigger strategy to combat organized crime. "This is exactly what we think this country needs," he said. RCMP Asst. Commissioner Peter German said he appreciated talks this week with both Nicholson and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. "Drugs are obviously the root cause of what we are dealing with here in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. All efforts to stem the flow of drugs and deal with drug offenders are appreciated," German said. Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu said Nicholson listened to "the frontline concerns of police officers who are on the streets battling the gang violence." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom