Minister Day Comments on the Arrest of a Wanted Fugitive by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Market Wire, August, 2008

The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, today issued the following statement on the arrest by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) of Pietro D'Adamo, as part of the ongoing Project Colisee:

"I would like to commend the RCMP, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) and international law enforcement partners for the hard work and coordinated efforts in Project Colisee which led to this apprehension and the seizure of illicit drugs.

The seizure of 300 kilograms of cocaine sends a strong message to anyone involved in the illicit drug trade. This arrest is consistent with ongoing efforts of Canadian law enforcement to tackle serious drug-related crime through inter-jurisdictional and cross-border cooperation.

The Government of Canada continues to recognize that illicit drugs undermine healthy families and safe communities, fuel organized crime and foster petty crime. As part of our Government's National Anti-Drug Strategy, we have invested $8.9 million in the RCMP and $3.3 million in the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to enhance their abilities to target illegal drug producers and traffickers."

Mr. D'Adamo is alleged to have been involved in a conspiracy to import and possess 1,300 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, and faces a number of other serious charges.

The CFSEU is a joint unit made up of partners from the RCMP, Surete du Quebec, Service de police de la ville de Montreal (SPVM), Service de protection des citoyens de Laval, CBSA, and Canada Revenue Agency under the coordination of the RCMP.

Contacts: Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day Minister of Public Safety Melisa Leclerc Director of Communications 613-991-2863