THREE suspected drug dealers are facing criminal charges after a 14-month police investigation ended in their arrest last week.
The men, all in their 20s, have been at the centre of a probe by the Integrated First Nations Unit - which involves officers from both North Shore forces - since August 2011. In that time, some 20 members have helped gather evidence that the suspects were part of a locally based dope ring, allegedly making a string of cannabis sales on First Nations land over the course of the year. Last week, the unit got a warrant for the men's arrest, taking the first two into custody Thursday. The third suspect was arrested by transit police in Vancouver Friday. They are scheduled to appear in court Oct. 24.
Shane Braedy Davis, 26, from West Vancouver has been charged with three counts of trafficking. Twenty-three-year-old James Franz Lajcik, a North Vancouver resident, is facing two counts, and Kyle Fraser, 20, also from North Vancouver, is facing one.
"We know we have the strong support of chiefs and council and the broadest part of the First Nations community," said Const. Jeff Palmer, a member of the integrated unit. "People may have, within society, divided opinions about use of some drugs, but people generally do understand that criminal drug trafficking carries with it risks that are simply unacceptable to any community."
