Pubdate: Wed, 19 Jun 2013
Source: Victoria News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Black Press
Contact: http://www.vicnews.com/contact_us/
Website: http://www.vicnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267

MEDIA PHOTO-OP JUST NOT ENOUGH

When police and B.C's anti-gang squad busted two of Greater Victoria's
"top-level" suspected drug traffickers recently, they held a press
conference and laid out a large quantity of drugs and paraphernalia
for photographers and news media to record.

Police were proud to display their bounty, saying it "dismantled (the
suspect's) ability to make money and create crime."

But much like a fishing expedition, the suspects were caught and
released, like large trophy fish, back to society. The reason, police
say, is to allow investigators time to establish a maximum number of
criminal charges.

Police further stated they are "concerned" that both ammunition and
gun holsters were found, but no weapons.

Can we surmise from this then, that these two "highest priority
targets on Vancouver Island," who supposedly operated their
grow-op-come-drug storage operations in heavily populated
neighbourhoods filled with families and children, are now out and
about with weapons?

Police admit the two suspects have a history of violent crime, drug
trafficking and connections to organized drug crime in the Lower Mainland.

How can the public have any confidence in our justice system, if,
after the arrest of suspected criminals police say "represent the top
of the food chain for the Greater Victoria area," they are allowed to
walk away - even if only temporarily and under a close watch?

The police may have made a dent in their operations, but there is no
doubt that these two highly organized, apparently successful drug
dealers will be able to pick up where they left off with the help of
lesser-known and less-watched associates.

The arrest of suspects at that level needs to be more than simply a
photo-op for police. The public deserves to know that along with
taking the drugs off the street, the people behind the drugs are off
the street as well.