West Coast residents warned about illicit drugs

    Wednesday, 17 May 2023 16:27

    By Tonya Organ

    Police team up to target illegal drugs on the west coast.

    RCMP-RNC Joint Forces Operation (JFO) West is warning west coast residents of the dangers of illicit drugs. RCMP Corporal Jolene Garland says drug trafficking leads to increased violent crime, property-related crimes and a number of overdose deaths. She says this includes home invasions, robberies, assaults and threats. JFO West commonly locates firearms, ammunition and other weapons, some of which are restricted, when searching the homes of drug traffickers.  Cpl. Garland says weapons are often used as a form of intimidation. She says most of the people  who commit these types of crimes usually do so  to support their drug addictions. Cpl. Garland says according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, last year, 29 individuals (65% men and 35% women) died as a result of drug overdoses in this   province.   Toxicology reports showed that cocaine was the leading drug detected in 15 of the 29 who died.

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