CRAWFORD BAY USED AS SMUGGLING SITE

Two Chilliwack men were arrested after police received information
the men were part of a drug smuggling ring, using Crawford Bay as a
transport site.

"It's obviously a sophisticated organized crime group," said Cpl. Dan
Moskaluk, Media Relations Officer from the South East/North District.

"They have solid funding for their enterprises and that is what is so
dangerous about them."

The men were on their way to a helicopter landing site in Crawford
Bay where they were to pick up 150 lb of marijuana and 20 lb of
ecstasy for transport to Idaho.

The bust was part of a huge smuggling ring which became known after
police seized 83 kg of cocaine and arrested one Canadian and one
American during a traffic stop in Utah.

This led to the arrest of Sam Lindsay-Brown in Colville, Wash., then
the arrest of a Kelowna man in Idaho.

The 20-year-old and 48-year-old Chilliwack men were arrested after
the Kelowna man was arrested and rapid information was exchanged
between U.S. authorities and the RCMP.

RCMP also executed a search warrant on March 6 of the two Chilliwack
residents' hotel rooms and storage trailer located in Nelson, where
they found a 40-calibre handgun.

The two men were released until all evidence can be brought together.

Moskaluk stated that communities may be concerned the men are free
for now, but he said they are not a big danger individually.

"Seeing the organization these people take part in is what's
dangerous," said Moskaluk.

The collaboration between the RCMP South-East District Drug Section,
RCMP Integrated Boarder Enforcement Team and the US Drug Enforcement
Administration has, so far, seen the arrest of seven individuals,
seizure of two helicopters, 83 kgs of cocaine, 750 pounds of
marijuana and 20 pounds of ecstasy.

"We've disrupted an amount of their supply," said Moskaluk.

"We're hopeful that they're looking over their shoulders now."

The collaborative team will continue to search for members in the
smuggling ring.