Darcey McLaughlin made a strong argument in favour of legalizing marijuana in his July 1 column, but he didn't go far enough. I'm a Canadian police officer who supports gradually legalizing and regulating all drugs. This includes marijuana as well as ecstasy, heroin and other substances. The argument in favour of legalizing these drugs is not that they are beneficial or fun, but rather that drugs are so dangerous they need to be regulated and controlled by the government. Under prohibition the government has no control. [continues 184 words]
The people happiest about this bust [reported in the July 15 Miramichi Leader) are the 90-95 per cent of growers who will never be caught. Think about that: If the police busted twice as many grows every year, they would still only get about 20 per cent of them. A fifth. Probably less. And every time they bust one grow - indoor, outdoor, small, or big - all they do is make the ones they don't catch that much more valuable. Not only is the illegality of pot the very thing that makes growing it so lucrative, the police are subsidizing the entire industry by busting a minority of them. [continues 251 words]
Darcey McLaughlin's column on legalizing marijuana in the Canada Day issue was excellent. There are a couple of points I think worth adding. A few years ago, the Senate of Canada conducted a study of marijuana use which included holding public hearings from coast to coast to coast. Acting on the results of the commission report, the Senate recommended decriminalizing marijuana. While it is doubtful Parliament would have done that, the United States went ballistic. The American drug czar came to Canada raving about what a violent, criminal hell hole Holland had become since allowing the use of marijuana in select cafes there. He warned that the Canada, U.S. border would be effectively sealed were we to proceed with decriminalization. [continues 288 words]
Anyone who attended Miramichi Culture Fest this past weekend will tell you the folks who came out to see the show had a good time, enjoyed the music, the food, the beer and, oh yes, the pot. OK so no vendor was set up selling marijuana but that didn't stop it from being plentiful and that familiar smell was everywhere. And what's more, nobody really seemed to care. Same could be said for most big events and concerts these days. [continues 755 words]
Re: Story published June 12 called Student gets discharge for pot possession Having drugs is a crime... Having drugs in school is even worse," the judge said. I am 100 per cent in favour of legalizing marijuana for adults, but I gotta tell you, any kid dumb enough to actually bring his pot into a school deserves to spend the summer picking up trash along one of the nation's many highways. You might want to put him back a grade, too, because clearly, the basics just aren't sinking in. Russell Barth Federally licensed medical marijuana user Patients Against Ignorance and Discrimination on Cannabis www.paidoc.org [end]
Recent Murders Shock N.B. Communities When a murder is committed in a small town in a province the size of New Brunswick, it creates shock waves that ripple far and wide. Nearby neighbours and observers around the province are even more so disturbed when young people are arrested in relation to such violent crimes. That has been the case several times in the past weeks and months, as police pressed murder charges just this week against a 15-year-old female in Demascus, and a 17-year-old male was charged with attempted murder at a residence in Notre-Dame. [continues 643 words]
Alcohol is legal, even promoted, while marijuana is illegal, for example. Alcohol does go back in recorded history a little longer. Apparently beer first came on the scene during the Neolithic period around 10,000 BC. Wine is first seen in Egypt around 4000 BC. At the same time, Marijuana was first used "medicinally" in 4000 BC in China. Zorastrian and Hindu religious practices dating from 3,000 years ago liberally use marijuana; and the first European use seems to have been around 500 BC when the Scythians brought it north. [continues 832 words]
SAINT JOHN - Quick to share a smile and a chuckle, Staff Sgt. Ed MacEachern sits behind his desk as the clock ticks down. Near his desk hangs a picture of his father Angus. The faded photo shows a young man, proud and wearing his military uniform. Above the photo is a half-hull model of one of the boats his father built. But while MacEachern got his sense of duty from his father, the woodworker genes missed him. "I can't paint a flat wall," MacEachern said. [continues 528 words]
SUSSEX - The grounds for a police raid of Arden Gregg's Marrtown property last year, which led to drug and weapons charges, has been called into question. In Sussex Provincial Court June 4, Judge Henrik Tonning announced his ruling that the ITO (information to obtain) filed by police didn't support the warrant authorized by Judge Andrew LeMesurier for the May 20, 2008 search. The ruling does not constitute a decision on the admissibility of the evidence but merely on the grounds for the search warrant. [continues 580 words]
SAINT JOHN - The complexity and costs of police investigations have risen dramatically over the past 30 years, Deputy Chief Darrell Scribner of the Saint John Police Force told the police commission Tuesday night. The costs are driven by changes brought about by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as court-directed disclosure rules that now require police to copy every piece of evidence and make it available to defence lawyers, Scribner said. "Every little piece that we touch needs to be replicated and turned over to the defence," he said. "We spend hours and hours and hours burning out photocopiers in order to do this." [continues 407 words]
Notre-Dame Shooting Still Under Investigation RICHIBUCTO - A 17-year-old youth entered Richibucto provincial court in handcuffs and leg shackles yesterday to face a judge and answer to an attempted-murder charge related to a shooting in Notre-Dame last week. A 33-year-old man was shot several times in his Notre-Dame home last week, and police have charged the youth with attempted murder, robbery with a firearm, discharge of a firearm with attempt to wound, possession of a restricted firearm, and unauthorized possession of a firearm. [continues 461 words]
OTTAWA - One leading critic calls it a law that would have put a young Barack Obama in prison, but Liberal justice critic Dominic LeBlanc defends the official Opposition's support of a Conservative bill to fight drug crime. MPs were set to pass Bill C-15 Monday, which relies heavily on mandatory minimum sentences to deter drug dealers. The NDP and the Bloc Quebecois both oppose the controversial bill, and it ran into heavy criticism from witnesses at the Commons justice committee. [continues 800 words]
Dozens Of Infractions Uncovered OTTAWA - Two major military bases and a navy frigate are hot spots for illegal drug use by members of the Canadian Forces, internal reports suggest. Urine tests conducted at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, north of Quebec City, in June and November last year found 51 people who tested positive for cocaine, 54 testing positive for marijuana and several for amphetamines. At Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ont., tests in January last year found 13 cocaine users, 16 marijuana users and three with opiates in their urine. [continues 213 words]
FREDERICTON - Officials in Fredericton are hoping that early action this year will help address an unsightly problem that annually plagues the provincial capital. As the temperature rises and the water recedes, a swath of land along the St. John River becomes home to a small city of tent dwellers. Human excrement, broken glass and used needles have all been found in the area hidden amidst the brush on Fredericton's south side, behind the Delta Hotel and Government House, which is home to the province's lieutenant-governor. [continues 417 words]
Kent County RCMP are stepping up efforts this summer to crack down on marijuana grow operations. "Here in this district we have increased our direct enforcement," said Sgt. Jeff Johnston. Last week, District 5 RCMP executed a search warrant in Bass River and seized more than 850 marijuana plants, or enough marijuana to produce 400,000 cigarettes. Several long guns and a hand gun were also seized, and police expect to press charges once their investigation is complete. Johnston said the drug problem is not necessarily getting worse in the Kent County area, but he said police are ramping up their efforts to address it. [continues 161 words]
Welcome to tent city. Over here you will see our transient and homeless population bathing in the St. John River. If you look behind those trees, you'll probably see things usually done behind closed doors. To the right are a couple of known drug dealers trying to make a sale or two. And if you come back in a little while, you will probably see the result of one of those sales - a discarded needle partially hidden by garbage or brush. [continues 473 words]
The chief executive officer of the Port of Belledune believes security at the facility is among the best in the world. Rayburn Doucett said many measures are taken to reduce illegal activities such as drug smuggling and terrorism. "I think our port is as secure as you can have a port in this particular area," said Mr. Doucett, noting that close to $1 million has been spent on security at the port since Sept. 11, 2001. Constable Julien Doth of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Belledune recently made a presentation to the Belledune village council, outlining the files he's following. He indicated that stopping the flow of illegal drugs is a major focal point for the RCMP in Belledune. [continues 433 words]
I have been volunteering with AIDS Saint John since 1990 and I was part of the board 18 years ago that decided to, under cover of darkness, practically speaking, provide clean needles to those who needed them so they could safely inject free of potential and deadly diseases. In the intervening years drug use has grown to be an enormous problem in our province, with an exponential increase in crime, broken lives and families, lost jobs and lost lives. For several years now I have been volunteering in the Needle Exchange Program based at AIDS Saint John and I have heard harrowing stories and have witnessed people begging for a walk-in methadone clinic as they struggle to overcome their addictions. [continues 144 words]
SAINT JOHN - Health Minister Mike Murphy is crediting police Chief Bill Reid with convincing him to fund a methadone clinic in the uptown. "The reason I'm here is because of the chief," Murphy told a Tuesday morning news conference. "He contacted me when it was apparent that drugs and drug abuse were spilling into the streets. This wouldn't have taken place without the chief." Murphy, along with Supply and Services Minister Ed Doherty, the MLA for Saint John Harbour, announced plans to fund a methadone treatment clinic at the Mercantile Centre on Union Street, which is expected to serve at least 500 drug addicts in the city. It will be located there until a permanent location can be identified. [continues 577 words]
Local Police Are Being Proactive In Stopping The Problem Before It Starts Methamphetamines have yet to make a strong presence in the region, but law enforcement officials are keeping a sharp lookout for the highly addictive drug. The RCMP issued a press release on May 7, warning high school and university students in the Fredericton area to be aware of drug dealers selling meth as other drugs, particularly ecstasy. "While ecstasy and meth are both very dangerous drugs, meth is especially addictive and deadly," Sgt. Mary Ann MacNeil wrote in the release. MacNeil is a member of the RCMP's Drugs and Organized Crime Awareness Services. [continues 297 words]
SAINT JOHN - At least 500 drug addicts in the city could get help as early as June 1. Today, the provincial government is expected to announce plans to open a methadone treatment clinic at the Mercantile Centre on Union Street and funded by the province. The clinic will treat opiate addicts - those dependent on drugs such as Dilaudid and heroin - with methadone, a synthetic opiate narcotic that when administered once a day and in adequate doses, can usually suppress a heroin addict's craving and withdrawal for 24 hours. [continues 747 words]
New Provincially Funded Methadone Treatment Clinic To Open In Uptown Saint John FREDERICTON - Help is on the way. A new methadone treatment clinic is being established in uptown Saint John to assist those struggling with opiate addictions. The provincially funded clinic will treat individuals hooked on opiates - such as heroin and Dilaudid - with methadone, a synthetic opiate narcotic that can suppress an addict's craving and withdrawal. The program, which is the first of its kind in the province, won't require counselling in conjunction with treatment, and won't have a limit on the number of people that can get help. [continues 482 words]
To The Editor: A Canwest News story ran recently in several papers across the country. The subject of the article was new Conservative legislation that would require mandatory jail time for drug pushers who sell to school kids. Brian Murphy was quoted repeatedly as saying "the jury is still out" on whether the legislation "merits Liberal support." The Conservative's Bill C-15 clearly targets serious repeat offenders and seeks to protect our children. It addresses trafficking or production for a criminal organization and the use of weapons or violence in the commission of an offence. It also addresses those who sell and produce drugs while in prison and those who bring drugs into prisons. [continues 389 words]
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is looking to increase its visibility in the village of Belledune. At the May 4 regular weekly public meeting of village council, Constable Julien Doth of the RCMP Belledune detachment, made a presentation outlining a few projects on the RCMP radar. The Mountie, who has been posted in Belledune for the past three months, said one of those projects includes investigating the usage of illegal drugs in the village. "Our major issue in Belledune as many are aware is drugs. It is a big project...and would take a lot of time and a lot of preparation to come up with something specific. Since drugs is just a general term, we need something more specific to be focusing on." [continues 307 words]
SAINT JOHN - A new anonymous email tip line set up by the Saint John Police Force is showing promising results. The address, policetips@saintjohn.ca, appeals to younger members of the public who are more inclined to email, text message or twitter, than they are to pick up the phone and call someone, Sgt. Jim Fleming told the city's police commission this week. "These kids are, in a good sense, wired, attached to the Internet," he said. "Just for an example, a few weeks ago, we received an email, and at the first it almost looked like a hoax." [continues 242 words]
These drug-driving laws are nothing more than a ploy to allow cops to profile pot users - meaning the young, the poor, people of color, or people with non-regulation hairstyles. Canadians smoke more pot than any other country, we smoke the most potent pot in the world, we admit to toking and driving more than any other country, our population is constantly growing, and the number of cars on the road increases every year. Yet the number of crashes continues to decline. [continues 174 words]
MIRAMICHI - The breathalyzer may be a good tool for catching drunk drivers but for years officers had little way of picking up on other forms of impairment unless a driver was blatantly, falling over, high. That is, until now. The drug recognition evaluation is a 12 step process of psychophysical testing. "The test will not only show whether or not the person is impaired but also the category of drug they have been using," said Const. Cheryl Seeley of the Miramichi Police Force. [continues 659 words]
There is a middle ground between drug prohibition and blanket legalization. Switzerland's heroin maintenance program has been shown to reduce disease, death and crime among chronic users. Providing addicts with standardized doses in a clinical setting eliminates many of the problems associated with illicit heroin use. The success of the Swiss program has inspired heroin maintenance pilot projects in Canada, Germany, Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands. If expanded, prescription heroin maintenance would deprive organized crime of a core client base. This would render illegal heroin trafficking unprofitable and spare future generations addiction. [continues 136 words]
Bill c-15 is designed specifically to increase crime. By imposing mandatory minimum sentences for pot growing, the government scares off the small time mom 'n pop growers who offer direct market competition to the gang-affiliated growers. This leaves more business, and more profit for the gangs, which will increase the violent competition between rival factions. The police and government will use that increase in crime as justification for even more increases in police powers and budgets, and justify the further usurping of Canadians' basic right to choose. The best way to thwart the gangs is to set up a legal, regulated marijuana market that can compete with the criminal market. [continues 173 words]
Does anyone remember Gerald LeDain? He created more stir in this country in his time than most would ever do. He was a Supreme Court of Canada justice and the author of what became known popularly as the LeDain Commission Report on the non-medical use of drugs in Canada, In simple terms, it stated there was no evidence that the moderate use of moderate amounts of marijuana harmed anyone's health, was addictive, led to crime or to the use of more potent drugs. On the other hand, apart from the obvious and significant financial cost, the prohibition of the use of marijuana entailed extraordinary means of enforcement that has the potential of leading to corruption and brutality. [continues 773 words]
Bill C-15 -An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to amend other Acts - - deals with many topics, from protection of children from sexual exploitation to animal cruelty offences. But the topic that is creating the biggest fuss is the radical change in Canadian drug policy that, some argue, will further enrich gangsters, create more violence on our streets, and fail to reduce either the demand for, or the availability of, drugs in our society. This statement may seem bold but it is backed by comprehensive studies published by the Senate of Canada, the Canadian Department of Justice, the European Commission, the U.S. Congressional Research Service, the Fraser Institute, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Rand Corporation all who support the view that mandatory minimum sentencing for drug offences are useless at best. [continues 352 words]
FREDERICTON - New legislation is now in force that gives the New Brunswick attorney general the authority to sell or dispose of property that has been seized, restrained or forfeited to the provincial government under the Criminal Code and the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Attorney General T.J. Burke and Public Safety Minister John W. Foran issued this reminder that the Management of Seized and Forfeited Property Act is now in effect. "The responsibilities for seizure and forfeiture were previously carried out on a case-by-case basis by a court-appointed agent," said Burke. "But this approach proved to be challenging over time. The new act modernizes the process and brings New Brunswick in step with other jurisdictions across Canada." [continues 128 words]
Dear Editor, Every time the police tear out one grow, they make the 90 to 95 per cent of grows they will never catch all that much more valuable. In this way, they are subsidizing the dealers they don't catch. They know this, too, because all science and history on the subject supports this. It leads me to wonder just which side of the law these guys are really on. If the police really cared about reducing crime and drug use and protecting public safety, they would lobby for legalized regulation. [continues 76 words]
Every time the police tear out one grow-op, they make the 90-95 per cent of grow-ops they will never catch all that much more valuable. In this way, they are subsidizing the dealers they don't catch. They know this, too, because all science and history on the subject supports this. It leads me to wonder just which side of the law these guys are really on. If the police really cared about reducing crime and drug use and protecting public safety, they would lobby for legalized regulation. [continues 69 words]
BURNT CHURCH FIRST NATION - Members of a recently formed anti-drug group in Burnt Church First Nation aren't alone in their fight to clean up the community. In fact, the group has been in contact the past couple of months with Eskasoni First Nation in Cape Breton, N.S., a community currently dealing with a similar crisis. The reason, according to Burnt Church Band Councillor Curtis Bartibogue, is the success Eskasoni has seen in their venture. In November 2008 the Nova Scotian First Nation community of approximately 4,000 people launched an anti-drug campaign highlighting community marches and dry community events. [continues 607 words]
ST. STEPHEN - Adam Troy Dickerson needs a physician to sign papers to allow him to legally use marijuana to control pain. His family doctor agreed he fit the criteria under federal law to medically use the otherwise illegal drug, but would not sign the papers as a matter of policy, duty counsel Joel Hansen told provincial court Judge David Walker this week. At an earlier court appearance Dickerson, 27, of Elmsville, pleaded guilty to producing marijuana. Walker adjourned sentencing to allow Dickerson to follow Hansen's advice to find out if he could qualify to legally use marijuana medically. The judge adjourned sentencing to May 19 to allow Dickerson to try to find another doctor to sign the papers. [continues 212 words]
My first encounter with Burnt Church First Nation left me in a state of shock. It was about two weeks ago that I had to drive up to talk to community members about the most recent death in the community attributed to a drug overdose. The count, according to community members was at three in roughly a month. I spoke with drug counsellors and at least one band councillor who informed me of the frightening drug problem plaguing the community. I was told that most of the deaths that occur on Burnt Church First Nation are drug related, either overdoses or suicides. I was told the unemployment rate was at ridiculous heights, a factor that strongly played into the drug problem on the reserve. [continues 541 words]
To the editor, Regarding MP Rob Moore's March 24 column, when it comes to drugs, mandatory minimum prison sentences are proven failures. If harsh sentences deterred illicit drug use, Canada's southern neighbor would be a "drug-free" America. That's not the case. The US drug war has done little other give the former land of the free the highest incarceration rate in the world. The drug war is a cure worse than the disease. Drug prohibition finances organized crime at home and terrorism abroad, which is then used to justify increased drug war spending. It's time to end this madness and instead treat all substance abuse, legal or otherwise, as the public health problem it is. [continues 65 words]
With the help of the public, RCMP continues to crackdown on drug trafficking in Carleton County. Last Thursday evening, District 7 RCMP - along with the Woodstock Police Force and the Woodstock Integrated Border Enforcement Unit (IBET) - executed a search warrant on a home in Windsor, following the assistance of the public. During the raid, RCMP Sgt. John de Winter said, officers seized in excess of 100 methamphetamine pills, a quantity of marijuana and over $1,000 in cash. "The amount of methamphetamine is a big concern to us to see popping up in our communities," said Sgt. de Winter. "We are seeing it in this area a lot more than we would like. [continues 301 words]
Gail Leslie doesn't look nearly old enough to be a widow. Yet the attractive young Burnt Church woman, who is pregnant, is just that, having lost her husband Lonnie Simon in what is believed to be a drug related death. Simon's body was found last week in Eel Ground. Police have released few details of what happened and have not confirmed the death was drug related, but Leslie and most of the residents of the First Nations community of Burnt Church know what killed Simon and they are angry about it. [continues 496 words]
MONCTON - The number of seizures in New Brunswick of the drug methamphetamine has doubled in the past year, RCMP say. RCMP officers on Monday displayed quantities of methamphetamine, commonly known as "meth", seized in the province over the past few years. Compared to the rest of the country, New Brunswick still remains relatively clean from the addicting drug since no production labs have been discovered, the Mounties say, and they want to keep it that way. "What we are seeing in pockets across Canada are problems with methamphetamine," MacNeil said. "We want to keep it low (in the province); we do not want methamphetamines to come in here, but that being said, there are pockets in New Brunswick that have been affected by this drug." [continues 275 words]
Methamphetamines Highly Addictive, Linked To Violence Methamphetamine seizures are on the rise in New Brunswick and that's not a good thing, according to police. Wayne Jeffery, a Vancouver-based forensic drug expert who retired after more than 30 years as a police officer, says meth is one of the most addictive drugs a person can take, trailing only heroin. And people hooked on meth are prone to violence, both because of the psychological effects of the drug and the junkies' desperation to get their next fix. [continues 598 words]
As part of our government's ongoing efforts to crack down on gangs and organized crime, we recently re-introduced legislation that provides for mandatory minimum penalties for serious drug crimes. The illicit drug trade is the number one source of income for most gangs and other criminal organizations. This legislation will ensure that those who own grow ops or meth labs will face significant jail time. The new legislation increases penalties for a number of aggravating factors. This includes a two-year mandatory prison sentence for the offence of running a large marijuana grow operation involving at least 500 plants and a two-year sentence for those who deal harmful drugs such as cocaine, heroin or crystal meth, to youth or near areas such as a school. [continues 184 words]
Recent High-Profile Crimes Turn Attention To Metro's Drug Underworld There are 'pharm parties' where bowls of prescription pharmaceuticals are passed around like candy, but cannabis use is down. Addiction Services offered in our region are seeing 300 requests for help per month. The RCMP is linking a pair of violent area crimes to the drug trade. It's difficult to get a sense of Metro Moncton's illicit drug scene. However, some of those who would know best suggest that though the nature of drug use in our area has changed a bit and is at the root of much of our relatively rare major crime, the size of the drug problem has at least stayed relatively constant. [continues 1391 words]
To The Editor: Sorry but am I missing something here? Were there not drugs in the car that was stopped for a minor light being burned out? Yes, the officer acted on a hunch, but that's his job people! He is the one, after all, who has the training and the experience. Because of that hunch, those drugs that might have found their way into schools to kids and adults etc. will not be used by our society. It's the judicial system that's in need of a good shaking up! Drug traffickers in other countries certainly have a harder time than they do here in Canada. We have the RCMP to act on their better judgment to protect us Canadians. I for one, am glad the officer acted on his hunch! Good Job! Anne Bourque Moncton [end]
Chief, Council, Elders, Police Ready To Fight Drugs RICHIBUCTO - Chief Jesse Simon woke up yesterday morning compelled to take a stand against the hostile spread of drugs in Elsipogtog First Nation. Before leaving his home en route to the Richibucto courthouse, the Mi'kmaq chief adjusted a handcrafted necktie that he received as a token of encouragement from one of his community members. Embroidered in tiny beads between his name and an eagle were the words honesty, humility, wisdom, courage, respect, truth, and love. [continues 839 words]
Eastern N.B. RCMP Say Firearms A Big Part Of Booming Drug Trade Kent RCMP Sgt. Darrell Marchand recalls that many years ago, his detachment had a wall set aside in the evidence room for firearms. Seized rifles and guns would be hung on pegs on the wall until they were needed for court, returned to their owners or forfeited and destroyed. These days, things are a little more crowded. "Right now in the bond room I have two walls full (of firearms), plus one wall in another bond room," says Marchand, a 35-year police veteran set to retire in April. "And that doesn't count the firearms that are on the shelves." [continues 624 words]
Stephen Harper's Conservative government is one step closer to passing legislation designed to curtail gang activity in Canada. The proposed mandatory jail time and increased mandatory minimum sentences set out in Bill C-14 are poised to attack drug trafficking and the increasing number of gang related murders and drive-by shootings in international drug hot beds like Vancouver, B.C.. "Our message to potential offenders is clear: if you sell or produce drugs, you will face jail time," Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson told the media in late February. The list of proposed changes to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act includes a minimum one-year sentence for the sale of drugs such as marijuana in connection with organized crime, a mandatory two-year sentence for dealing drugs such as cocaine, heroin or methamphetamines to "young people" and a two-year mandatory sentence for running large-scale marijuana grow-operation, the CBC told me. [continues 944 words]
To The Editor: Jamie Colbert must feel, as most of us do, that Canada is a wonderful country to live in after he was acquitted of possessing drugs for the purpose of trafficking by Provincial Court Judge Joseph Michaud despite being caught by an RCMP officer with a huge amount of marijuana in his possession. For those not familiar with the case, Colbert was pulled over near Salisbury about a year ago because the SUV he was driving had a burned out tail light. The officer wasn't satisfied with the answers to questions he put to Mr. Colbert and, as a consequence, suspected something illegal might be hidden in the vehicle. The officer asked for, and received, permission from Colbert to allow his drug sniffing dog Jasper to sniff around the SUV. Jasper's sniffing led to the discovery of $1.4 million worth of marijuana (155 lbs). [continues 225 words]
One should not speak ill of the dead, but it's hard to resist the suspicion that the murder of the army chief of staff on March 1 and of the president on March 2 in the small West African country of Guinea-Bissau were linked to the drug trade in Africa's first "narco-state." On Sunday, a powerful bomb blew up the military headquarters in Bissau, the capital, killing Gen. Batista Tagme Na Waie, chief of Guinea-Bissau's military, and severely wounding five other senior officers. [continues 831 words]
Inside New Brunswick
