The trend of crystal meth on Durham Streets is an increasing one, say Durham Drug Enforcement Officers.
But Durham Regional Police’s newly formed group aimed at solving problems in the city is doing just that by removing this illegal drug from city streets.
Officers from the newly organized Problem-Response Unit (PRO) seized crystal meth off the streets of Oshawa recently.
Officers from the PRO went to a rooming house on Celina Street around noon one day last week and arrested a man for possession of a controlled substance.
Police found 1.2 grams of crystal meth, 3.8 grams of crack cocaine, a small amount of marijuana, $1,600 in cash, cell phones and drug scales, police say.
The 30-year-old man, who is from Whitby, is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of property obtained by crime and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The DRPS Drug Enforcement Unit says there has been a rise in the number of seizures of crystal meth occurring within drug arrests throughout Durham.
This indicates an increased concern for the availability of this type of drug on the streets, they say.
Officers from the drug unit say the heightened frequency of crystal meth on the streets is a direct result of the dangerous and illicit secret drug labs producing this newer crystallized version of the addicting drug.
The PRO is made up of eight officers dedicated to directed patrol and neighbourhood problem solving in Oshawa.
It was launched in 2010 with new team members, say police.
The unit works with community partners to reduce calls for service by using a combination of proactive and reactive strategies.
PRO uses targeted enforcement strategies and patrols downtown and in South Oshawa with high visibility on foot and on bicycles, they say.