Pubdate: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2003 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Mike McIntyre CASE OF ALLEGED NEW CRIME ORGANIZATION PROMPTS RARE MOVE MANITOBA justice authorized a rare direct indictment yesterday against high-level members of an alleged new criminal organization that has registered itself as a legitimate business. Bekim and Mohammed Zeneli will proceed straight to trial without the benefit of a preliminary hearing on 19 charges including cocaine trafficking, money-laundering, conspiracy and possessing proceeds of crime. Donna "Mama Bear" Anderson, who is accused of running an elaborate drug delivery network for the gang, will also go directly to trial, although her case will be heard separately from the Zeneli brothers. The trio is believed to be connected to LHS -- a fast-rising street gang whose name, police say, stands for "loyalty, honour, silence" and is closely linked to the Hells Angels. Police say the gang has been involved in several high-profile cases earlier this year, including the theft of a Winnipeg police gun and several kidnappings. The direct indictment -- which has only ever been used in Manitoba drug cases a handful of times -- spares the Crown from exposing its evidence and witnesses before trial. Indictments are usually only done in cases where preservation of evidence and safety of witnesses is a concern. The charges against Anderson and the Zenelis relate to alleged incidents between May 2001 and March 2003 in Winnipeg, Vancouver and Moosomin, Sask., involving the movement of cocaine through Western Canada and the financial benefits they allegedly reaped. The Zenelis claim they made their money in the concert promotion business with their company, L.H.S. Inc., and not through drug sales. Bekim Zeneli claims LHS are initials from family members, not some gang mantra. Bekim Zeneli also made headlines earlier this year when he filed a unique legal challenge seeking access to $43,000 cash that was seized by police during his arrest last year on these drug-related charges. Zeneli claims he needs the money to pay his lawyer. Police and the Crown objected, saying the money is dirty. A judge agreed. Legal Aid has turned Zeneli down, claiming he makes too much money to qualify. Zeneli is scheduled to make another pitch for access to the funds during a hearing in January. Zeneli is also facing additional charges from this past summer, including kidnapping with a firearm and uttering threats to kill. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman