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