Al0O - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, April 12, 2000 Drug raids scratch surface of illegal activity, say police RCMP OFFICERS say the seizure of more than 300 marijuana plants during twin drug raids at two dif- ferent homes in Thornhill on Tuesday, April 4 repre- sents a minute sample of drug activity here, “It’s so easy to grow,” said RCMP Constable Trent Johnson. “The probability i is always out there,””” The problem, he added, is having enough officers and manpower to process paperwork and conduct searches. The raids last week re- sulted in three arrests and involved 13 to 15 officers including those from Ter- race’s drug, identification ’ and dog sections, = ' Officers were also helped by neighbouring de- tachments. “Without their help we never would have been able to do two (raids) in one day,” said Johnson. In the first search, on Kirkaldy Street, officers found about 180 marijuana plants in a large garage and arrested two residents of a nearby home — a 31-year- old male and a 27-year-old female. Officers also seized a half pound of bud marijua- s a e d By CHRISTIANA WIENS RENE FAGAN went to jail April 7 without a word. The 66-year-old welder and heavy duty mechanic was uncharacteristically quiet as sheriffs lead him away after his sentencing. He was sentenced to one-year in prison for the possession of a half-pound of 87 per cent pure cocaine RCMP officers found in the ceiling of his Thornhill home and workshop on March 15, 1997. He will also serve a one- year concurrent sentence for possession of the proceeds of crime. Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth A. Bennett or- dered Fagan to forfeit drug paraphemialia including two digital scales. He will also lose more than $25,000 found hidden in his home during the 1997 search. In April 1997 Fagan pleaded guilty to a weapons and smaller possession charge which also resulted from the March 15 search. He has already served 35 days for those charges. Crown prosecutor Andy Roth had recommended Fagan be sentenced to 18 to 24 months based on his cri- minal record and the affect of drug trafficking. in smal- ler communities. Roth also cited Fagan’s unrepentant attitude and — blatant disregard for Crown lawyers, jury, RCMP offi- cers and other officers of. the court during the four- day trial on the charges. Roth argued Fagan should be made to serve his time in jail, rather than at home in order to protect the community and to deter others. “Quite frankly, given his track record 1 think it would be a danger to this com- munity to have him serve a conditional sentence,” said Roth. Fagan maintained his in- nocence throughout the trial. “If you send me to prison . it’s not going to be hard on me,” he told Justice Ben- nett. “But | got children and six grandchildren - you ain’t going to rehab me.” Justice Bennett cited Fagan’s age and financiat support of his family as weil as the August 1997 murder of his son and the three years he’s spent on bail in her decision. But ultimately, she said, she wasn't satisfied Fagan would not sell drugs from his home, if he was allowed lo serve his sentence at home. Fagan intends to appeal. ‘place at a home on River ~ va ef gees XO na. Both people face posses- sion of marijuana and pro- duction of marijuana for the purposes of trafficking charges. They have been released on their own recognizance until their May 26° court date. ; A second search took Drive. There, officers seized 230 plants and arrested a 35-year-old man.on two charges of possession and production of marijuana for the purposes of trafficking. The man is also sche- duled to appear in court May 26. Officers here have exec- uted seven search warrants so far this year, arresting at least nine peaple on posses- sion, and production of marijuana for the purposes of trafficking. Just last month out-of- town officers assisied Ter- race’s drug unit in seizing 173 mature plants from a home at Lakelse Lake. One of the larger mari- juana seizures included the Feb. 4 seizure of 700 plants Canstable Trent Johnson of Terrace's RCMP drug at a rental complex on Sub- section holds up a sample of the 230 marijuana plants station Avenue. found at a home on River Drive in Thornhill April 4. : : iy 0-330:976 w wen pin c It's worth it. aaey ALACE owl | FACTORY DIRECT MO “WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY ~ * SATURDAY. Spring Cleara nce Sale on Now! SUNDAY . 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