Pubdate: Fri, 24 Apr 2015
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Times Colonist
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html
Website: http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: David L. Staples
Page: A15

STOPPING SMUGGLING A REASON FOR NAVY PRIDE

Re: "Our navy ships have better things to do," letter, April 18.

We often hear outright denial that the problem of international drug 
smuggling exists, usually followed by a suggestion that we should do 
away with prohibition.

It might come as a surprise to the letter-writer that there are few 
more pressing issues facing our nation than the interdiction of 
dangerous drugs.

I am a 35-year veteran of the RCMP, 25 years of which were devoted to 
drug enforcement. I was the field inspector who led Vancouver Island 
RCMP drug officers and local municipal police officers in pursuit of 
those international drug smugglers on "mother ship" drug seizures 
during the years 1973, 1978 and 1979. We were mightily assisted on 
those occasions by our Royal Canadian Navy ships McKenzie, Yukon and 
Kootenay. It was estimated that nearly $100 million worth of 
contraband was seized during these operations.

Since those days, there have been many such seizures on both the east 
and west coasts that necessitated the co-operation of police with 
Canadian and U.S. navies and coast guards. This co-operation 
continues today and reaches out around the world.

Many other Canadian, American and foreign agencies are involved in 
protecting our shores from this menace, but I continue to be 
particularly proud of the cooperation between Vancouver Island police 
forces and the members of the Royal Canadian Navy. They have every 
right to hold their heads high on this occasion.

David L. Staples Retired RCMP Inspector Victoria
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom