Tag: dial-a-dope

Chilliwack Mounties bust dial-a-dope operation

Two people face charges after being arrested for drug offences by the RCMP in late August.

Dipendra Varma Bundhoo, 27, of Delta, faces charges for three counts of trafficking in a controlled substance and three counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drug and Substance Act. Bundhoo remains in custody pending a court date in late September.

Chelsea Tara Hagen, 23, of Port Moody, faces charges for two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance and three counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drug and Substance Act. Hagen was released from custody pending a court appearance in early October.

The charges stem from a RCMP dial a dope investigation that was initiated on July 8, 2016 after a Chilliwack RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) officer observed a suspicious transaction occur between Bundhoo and another person behind a building in the 8100 block of Young Road.

Dial a dope is a criminal operation where the seller and their customer communicate by phone to arrange a pre-determined location to meet for the exchange of illegal drugs, says Corporal Mike Rail, spoke person for the UFVRD.

As police in Chilliwack conducted their investigation they were supported on August 17, 2016 by officers from the RCMP E Division Support Services. Over the following twelve days undercover officers met Bundhoo and Hagen on three occasions in commercial parking lots located around the city where the suspects sold crack cocaine to police.

The two suspects were taken into custody by police on August 29, 2016 at the site of the third transaction. During the arrest, drugs that police believe to be approximately 8 grams of crack cocaine, 5 grams of methamphetamine, 1.6 grams of heroin containing trace amounts of fentanyl, as well as, cash, a vehicle and evidence linking the suspects to the alleged dial a dope operation were seized by RCMP investigators.

RCMP in Chilliwack have taken another step in reducing organized crime and removing illegal drugs from our streets to ensure the safety of the residents of our community, said Rail.

Police remind everyone who witnesses anything they believe to be suspicious in nature to contact the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-702-4017 or, should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Gang Prevention -What can Parents do?

Research shows gang members are likely to die before age 30.

Always know where your kids are, what they are doing, and who they are with.

Explain to them that you are asking questions about their activities and whereabouts because you are interested, you love them, and you care about them.

Help your kids choose friends who are not involved in any criminal or antisocial activity.

Build strong family ties by making family events fun such as regular family dinners, outings, watching movies and playing games with them.

Accompany your kids to after school activities such as sports, and stay for the whole duration as often as possible.

Participate in parent-teacher meetings and events at your kids’ schools.

Take interest in your kids’ homework and make sure they complete it.

Encourage your kids to participate in school activities and do volunteer work in the community.

Do the same yourself.

Ensure that they take pride in their cultural/ethnic/religious/linguistic heritage while fully participating in the mainstream life of our society.

Have open communication with your kids so they feel comfortable to share with you their concerns and worries.

Thank them and reward them for sharing information, even when the information might be potentially worrisome.

Remember that kids learn a lot from observation. So modeling good behaviour yourself, such as leading a life that is free of crimes, drugs, and violence is very important.

Foster thankfulness in your kids by modeling thankfulness yourself for your own life situations and people in your life.

Remain consistent in your message to kids that although you love them unconditionally, antisocial behaviour is not acceptable. Ask questions for an honest conversation.

Emphasize the importance of ‘being true to self’ and reward them for doing the ‘right thing’ despite peer pressure.

Demonstrate that forgiving others for their harmful actions towards you is better than trying to take/plot revenge.

Keep an eye on your kids’ choice of movies, videos, and internet browsing habits. If you see a consistent theme of violence and crimes, talk to them and steer them to other entertainment choices.

Make your kids understand that although money is important, long lasting happiness in life comes from having good trusting relationships with family, friends, neighbours, and the community.

If you are worried that your kids may be involved in antisocial and/or self-destructive behavior, remember that it can be changed.

Avoid ‘tough love’ such as cutting them off or forbidding them from going out. Instead, stay involved and let your kids understand that making mistakes and wrong choices are part of learning and that you will always help them correct their mistakes.

When you are worried about your kids’ well-being and need some help, talk to their school teacher, counsellor, or even a police officer. An earlier check and prevention will help your kids stay on track and avoid getting into a dangerous life of crime, violence, and gangs.

Recognizing the signs of a Dial-a-Doper Youth

Dial-a-Dopers will have a number of different cellphones.

The process of selling drugs via Dial-a-Doping takes the youth out of the house for short durations and often at all hours of the day and night.

Dial-a-Dopers often possess business cards.

Dial-a-Dopers often carry a lot of cash even though they live in debt and fear.

Dial-a-Dopers often keep financial records.

Typically, Dial-a-Dopers do keep the drugs they are selling at home.

Dial-a-Dopers tend to keep their room locked or demand privacy and will often become upset or mad if parents or siblings want to know what is in their rooms or why they want privacy.

Dial-a-Dopers are under great pressure and will often display signs of stress or moodiness.

Below are facts based on extensive evidence compiled by police departments on their interactions with street level Dial-a-Dope involved youth.

Dial-a-Dopers are drawn to gang life by the prospect of making a great deal of money.

Dial-a-Dopers make very little money.

Dial-a-Dopers will front (provide without payment) drugs to their trusted customers.

Dial-a-Dopers are at risk of being ‘ripped off’ of their drugs.

Dial-a-Dopers are almost always held responsible for any losses.

Despite the strict control of the gang leader, it is common for Dial-a-Dopers to accumulate debts.

The gang leader will not always know who his Dial-a-Dopers are and the Dial-a-Dopers do not always know whom they are working for.

Dial-a-Dopers are not well protected by the gang leaders. Given the secrecy of gang life, the families of Dial-a-Dopers are not well-protected from any direct involvement in the transactions.

Dial-a-Dopers almost always have a valid driver’s license.

Most gangs do not give the Dial-aDopers access to stolen vehicles for transporting drugs.

Before being hired by a gang, Dial-a- Dopers do not need to show loyalty by stealing from a rival gang.

Despite their low level in the gang hierarchy, it is not easy for Dial-aDopers to leave the gang at any time.