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120 YEARS YOUR COMMUNITY
NEWSPAPER
1891-2011
Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R • F O U N D E D I N 1 8 9 1 • W W W. T H E P R O G R E S S . C O M • F R I D AY, J A N U A R Y 2 8 , 2 0 1 1
Drugs, weapons seized from Chilliwack home Possible connections to Duhre Group; see related story, page 4 Vikki Hopes Black Press A man believed to have connections with the Duhre Group is facing several drug and weapons charges after police executed a search warrant in Chilliwack’s Promontory neighbourhood on Tuesday night. Police seized seven firearms, ammunition, drugs and cash from a residence in the 47000 block of Brewster Place. The Abbotsford Police Department’s gang suppression and drug enforcement units were involved in the search and seizure, along with the RCMP Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team and Chilliwack RCMP. Among the firearms seized was an Uzi semiautomatic gun. Also found were high-capacity magazines, an extendable metal baton, more than 2,400 rounds of ammunition, thousands of dollars in cash, and drugs – OxyCodone, ecstasy, heroin and cocaine. The home was vacant at the time, but a 32-yearold man associated with the residence was arrested at about 6 p.m. when he attempted to drive past. Close to a pound of methamphetamine was located in his vehicle. Const. Ian MacDonald said Abbotsford Police were involved in the Chilliwack arrest because an investigation into the suspect’s activities had already begun in this community. “We knew that he had connections to that residence (in Chilliwack) but, historically, we’re dealing with someone who has resided in Abbotsford,” he said. The man, whose name has not yet been released, is known to police. MacDonald said at least one other person connected to the home is under investigation and could face charges. MacDonald said the arrest attests to the solid work being done by the gang suppression unit, and other police detachments in the Lower Mainland, in identifying and disrupting gang activity. The Abbotsford Police have previously identified the Duhre Group as the dominant gang operating in that city.
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A city worker adjusts a piece of caution tape after crews cleaned out a ditch filled with mud following a slide on Old Orchard Road. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
‘Tactical evacuation’ gets Chilliwack family out ahead of debris slide Jennifer Feinberg The Progress A family on Old Orchard Road had to be evacuated from their home last week — two days before a debris slide came down at the base of Chilliwack Mountain. “We actually evacuated the home last Thursday, before the slide came down on Saturday,” said James Macdonald, emergency coordinator for the City of Chilliwack. The property owner had previously contacted city officials with concerns
about the stability of the hill behind his property in the wake of heavy rainfall. “We went out and did an investigation, and we felt they were vulnerable where they were,” said MacDonald. “We made a tactical evacuation in the advance of the slide event, so it was a preemptive measure.” The excessive rain is likely the cause of the debris slide that came down on Jan. 22, but the extent or cost of any property damage is not known. “It was a debris slide, and involved more than just mud,” said the official. Geotechnical engineers will be making a formal assessment of the slide and
filing a report to the city in due time, MacDonald said. The family is still out of their damaged home under evacuation order, and after accepting the offer of accommodations for four nights by Emergency Social Services. Neighbours graciously offered support by taking the family into their home since then. “It’s a property issue now as opposed to a life-saving issue,” he said. “We are continuing to monitor the embankment behind them and we will try to get them back into their home as soon as possible.” jfeinberg@theprogress.com