Pubdate: Mon, 31 Aug 2015 Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU) Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc. Contact: http://www.montrealgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274 Author: Jim Bronskill Page: A9 POLICE CHIEFS WANT POWER TO INTERCEPT ITEMS IN MAIL Rocket launcher, guns, drugs among items sent as parcels, a 2012 RCMP report says OTTAWA- Canada's police chiefs want legal authority to seize mail in transit to stem the flow of illicit drugs, fake medicine and weapons through the postal system. In a recently passed resolution, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police say contraband is being sent through the mail "with impunity" because the law forbids officers from swooping in until a parcel arrives at its destination. This poses a "significant challenge" for police, who must find "alternative ways to work within or around" the system to apprehend criminals, the chiefs say. The resolution calls on the government to amend the legislation governing Canada Post to provide police with the ability to obtain a judge's approval to "seize, detain or retain parcels or letters" in the mail stream. A November 2012 report the RCMP prepared for the chiefs' organized crime committee revealed that firearms, grenades, a rocket launcher, stun guns, dangerous chemicals and drugs including cocaine, heroin and marijuana were sent through the mail. "These items represent a significant threat to postal workers and Canadians," say the chiefs, who passed the resolution this month at their annual conference in Quebec City. It is imperative that Canada Post and the law enforcement community develop ways to effectively work together to stop the transmittal of contraband through the postal system." The chiefs plan to write a letter to the federal public safety minister urging changes to the law, hopefully to be followed up with a meeting. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt