RCMP Seize Helicopter used for Organized Crime
FEB 1, 2010 TMTV/BCTV for Global TV & CBC TV - Nelson, BC - The RCMP Federal Border Integrity Program in Nelson, Creston and Osoyoos in conjunction with the BC Civil Forfeiture Office has successfully obtained a preservation order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia allowing them to seize a helicopter used for drug trafficking across the Canada-US border.
On January 22, 2010 a Supreme Court of British Columbia ruling granted an interim preservation order allowing the RCMP acting on behalf of the BC Civil Forfeiture Office to seize the property used for criminal means to the Province of British Columbia under the Provincial Civil Forfeiture Act. The RCMP Federal Integrated Proceeds Of Crime Asset Forfeiture Unit and the BC Civil Forfeiture Office assisted Nelson Border Integrity Program to ensure this Act was utilized in the interest of the public to seize property used for criminal offences civilly in order to establish safe communities together.
Several sworn Affidavits were filed with the BC Civil Forfeiture Unit in support of the issuance of the Interim Preservation Order to obtain the authority to seize the helicopter after its year and a half involvement in criminal organization in cross border drug smuggling. The Interim Preservation Order issued by BC Supreme Court ensures that the helicopter is not moved or hidden before the Courts have a chance to rule on its status. A date for the Civil Forfeiture hearing is yet to be determined.Police officers from the Nelson Border Integrity Program, supported by Kamloops RCMP Air Section and uniformed officers of the Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment of Nelson and New Denver, moved in on a Black Bell 206B Jet Ranger helicopter during an early morning operation the following day on January 23, 2010.
RCMP officers moved quickly to secure the chopper which was tucked into a remote corner on a large rural property south of Silverton, BC. RCMP Air Section then airlifted the helicopter to a nearby flatbed truck waiting to transport it to an RCMP compound for safekeeping.This particular helicopter has been a subject of law enforcement interest since September 2007 after numerous investigations have taken place jointly with US and local partners.
"The civil forfeiture process is a powerful tool in the law enforcement arsenol," says Sergeant Dennis Blanch from the RCMP Border Integrity Program . "We want the Courts to hit criminals right in the wallet and, in this case, take away an expensive asset that assists them in trafficking controlled drugs. The RCMP will continue to work with the BC Civil Forfeiture Office to assist them to take away an expensive asset that assists criminals in trafficking controlled drugs.”"The RCMP is well aware of the use to which organized crime groups put helicopters and small aircrafts. We will continue to work in partnership with domestic and US law enforcement agencies to take aggressive action to counter cross-border drug and firearms trafficking."
These helicopters and other aircrafts represent a significant risk to the public as organized crime groups often use inexperienced, unlicensed pilots and unregistered and poorly maintained helicopters. This increases the risk of not only crashes. The transportation of dangerous drugs and weapons into and out of Canada is a grave concern to the RCMP and the general public.
"Every time the RCMP can take away an aircraft from organized crime," confirmed Sergeant Blanch, "we consider it another step in the right direction."
The RCMP encourages anyone to call their local police detachment if they see an unauthorized aircraft or any suspicious activity in their local area. To remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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