Police nab 'dial-a-dope' suspect
By Kyra Hoggan
Buying drugs in Castlegar may no longer be almost as easy as ordering pizza, as police continue to crack down on local drug trafficking.
According to RCMP Cpl. Deb Postnikoff, a 46-year-old Castlegar man was arrested Jan. 20 after police received information about a suspected street-level drug dealer.
“This individual was said to be involved in a dial-a-dope drug business,” she said. “Investigators arranged to meet with this male, who was subsequently arrested by a uniformed officer who discovered, in the male’s possession, five flaps of cocaine.
“He’s been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and will make his first court appearance March 14.”
Postnikoff said the dial-a-dope business model has been around since the advent of the cell phone – people call or text the dealer and arrange a meet – a rapid, hand-to-hand transaction often lasting less than a minute.
“It’s fast and easy,” she said.
Perhaps, though, not as easy as anticipated for dealers who don’t make sure they’re not arranging to meet a uniformed cop – which is why Postnikoff said local dealers may become more cautious after this arrest becomes public knowledge.
“Castlegar uniformed members, in partnership with our Crime Reduction Unit, will continue exerting all possible effort to remove drugs from the streets of Castlegar,” she added.
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