RCMP warn of the impact of organized crime in New Brunswick, Fredericton, N.B.

2009/4/21

Last week, the Bathurst and Edmundston Regional Drug Unit, comprised of members of the RCMP and Bathurst and Edmundston Police Forces, arrested four people affiliated with Quebec Chapters of the Hells Angels, including one “full patch” member. Though these arrests will help at least in the short term to reduce crime and illegal drugs in the province, other organized crime groups continue to work throughout the province with their own criminal activities.

"We’ve successfully severed the Hells Angels primary link to New Brunswick, “says Sgt. MaryAnn MacNeil of “J” Division RCMP’s Drug and Organized Crime Awareness Services. “However there are other organized criminal groups operating in New Brunswick, and there are still drugs circulating throughout the province. These groups often work on fear and intimidation. To effectively disrupt them and shut organized crime down in local areas we need communities to work with police on prevention and education.”

Raising awareness about the dangers methamphetamine and ecstasy are of particular concern to Sgt. MacNeil. “We’ve seen a large increase in the number of seizures of these drugs made in New Brunswick this year. Last week we seized over 35,000 tablets destined for our communities. These are deadly drugs, and organized crime groups deal heavily in them because they are relatively cheap and easy to produce, and they’re highly addictive. We have to work together to keep this menace out of New Brunswick, and that starts with education.”

The RCMP continues to do education with schools and community groups on organized crime and the danger of illegal drugs. More information is available on what people can do to reduce organized crime and illegal drugs in their community at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/docas-ssdco/index-eng.htm

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Sgt. MaryAnn MacNeil
506-470-0788