Massive Drug Bust

Yesterday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency were among 10 different police agencies who simultaneously raided homes and businesses allegedly connected to a multi-million dollar international smuggling ring. The 6 A.M. raids in Detroit, Windsor, and Toronto resulted in 18 arrests and confiscation of roughly 772 kilos of marijuana, 3,000 Ecstasy tablets, and more than US$1.3 million. Also seized were 6 houses and 14 vehicles.

The dope was grown in houses in the Windsor and Toronto areas and smuggled to cities such as Detroit, Boston, Pittsburgh and Minneapolis. Millions of dollars ultimately goes to organized criminal groups in Toronto. It's expected that the flow of dope from Canada will be reduced because of the arrests, at least in the short run.

On the flip side is recent news from Arizona which indicates that the volume of dope smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico will soar. This is expected to moderate any fluctuations in dope prices triggered by interruption in the Canadian supply.