By SARAH KENNEDY, CALGARY SUN
Police say they've severed a major cocaine pipeline between Calgary and B.C., responsible for trafficking more than $1 million worth of the drug onto city streets each month.
Because the investigation is continuing, Insp. Shaun Gissing of the organized crime unit wouldn't provide specific details but said two significant and recent seizures allowed police to dismantle the operation.
"Through investigative tactics we were able to dry up the pipeline," said Gissing.
"Informant information has shown that this individual is no longer in business."
Gissing said the seizures were made by an outside agency as part of an investigative tactic to not tip off the trafficker as to what information Calgary officers had gathered.
Gissing said the pipeline was responsible for trafficking between 20 and 50 kg of cocaine from B.C. to Calgary on a monthly basis - 1 kg is typically sold for $30,000 on city streets.
Cops say the cocaine was also being distributed to towns and rural areas outside of Calgary.
The drug pipeline is another example of the interest of outside dealers looking to capitalize on Calgary's economy, say police.
At the beginning of August, police in the organized crime unit became aware of a B.C. presence in the city following a brazen daylight shooting that left one man injured outside Motel Village.
Through their investigation, police realized the victim, Hieu Van Le, 18, who was later charged in hospital with 11 weapons-related offences, was from Vancouver.
Yesterday, Gissing said they have been working closely with investigators in B.C. sharing information and intelligence.
"As we pursued the Motel Village shooting we followed tentacles to organized crime units in B.C.," he said.
Although, the Aug. 8, shooting outside the motel, that left nearby diners diving for cover, was deemed drug-related, Gissing said there's nothing to suggest it was connected to the dismantled pipeline.
Police have cited a drug turf war as the motive behind several of the shootings that have taken place in the city over the last two months.
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2006/09/16/1849024.html
Police say they've severed a major cocaine pipeline between Calgary and B.C., responsible for trafficking more than $1 million worth of the drug onto city streets each month.
Because the investigation is continuing, Insp. Shaun Gissing of the organized crime unit wouldn't provide specific details but said two significant and recent seizures allowed police to dismantle the operation.
"Through investigative tactics we were able to dry up the pipeline," said Gissing.
"Informant information has shown that this individual is no longer in business."
Gissing said the seizures were made by an outside agency as part of an investigative tactic to not tip off the trafficker as to what information Calgary officers had gathered.
Gissing said the pipeline was responsible for trafficking between 20 and 50 kg of cocaine from B.C. to Calgary on a monthly basis - 1 kg is typically sold for $30,000 on city streets.
Cops say the cocaine was also being distributed to towns and rural areas outside of Calgary.
The drug pipeline is another example of the interest of outside dealers looking to capitalize on Calgary's economy, say police.
At the beginning of August, police in the organized crime unit became aware of a B.C. presence in the city following a brazen daylight shooting that left one man injured outside Motel Village.
Through their investigation, police realized the victim, Hieu Van Le, 18, who was later charged in hospital with 11 weapons-related offences, was from Vancouver.
Yesterday, Gissing said they have been working closely with investigators in B.C. sharing information and intelligence.
"As we pursued the Motel Village shooting we followed tentacles to organized crime units in B.C.," he said.
Although, the Aug. 8, shooting outside the motel, that left nearby diners diving for cover, was deemed drug-related, Gissing said there's nothing to suggest it was connected to the dismantled pipeline.
Police have cited a drug turf war as the motive behind several of the shootings that have taken place in the city over the last two months.
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2006/09/16/1849024.html
