Pubdate: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2004 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Jason Bell Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers) DRUG BUSTS SETBACK FOR GANG, POLICE SAY Numerous Arrests, Seizures In Zig Zag Sweep A series of drug raids by Winnipeg police was designed to put a dent in the distribution network of a street gang associated with the Hells Angels. Police confirmed yesterday that 14 homes connected to members of the Zig Zag Crew were targeted last Friday. The Zig Zag Crew was granted official status as a puppet club for the Winnipeg chapter of the Hells Angels just six weeks ago, police say. But it's believed gang members have been the underlings of the Hells Angels for several years and are often recruited to the biker gang. Three former Zig Zag members are now members of the Hells Angels and a fourth is a prospective member, one rung below a full member. The police raids were part of a 10-month investigation called Othello. Last Friday, in a series of raids, police arrested 35 people on charges of conspiracy to traffic in marijuana and cocaine, trafficking in both, and numerous proceeds-of-crime offences. All were released on a promise to appear in court at a later date. Sgt. Cam Baldwin of the organized crime unit said it's believed the cocaine trade represents revenues of about $5 million a month in the city. "This is small, relative to what's happening city-wide," said Baldwin, referring to the raids. "Drug distribution is so widespread in the city that there's always people involved in the industry to take the place of the ones arrested. "But I do think this one particular drug cell we have targeted within the Zig Zag organization will be seriously compromised by it, and it will take them awhile to re-establish themselves." Drugs seized recently include 1.75 kilograms of cocaine, six kilograms of marijuana, 150 plants from grow operations and small quantities of methamphetamine and ecstasy. Police had a portion of the seized drugs, with a street value of about $160,000, on display for reporters yesterday. Investigators also seized $250,000 Cdn and $7,000 US in cash. "We feel that we put a significant dent into the drug-distribution operations," Baldwin said. "As we know, cocaine fuels the organized crime world and the revenues that some of these people are (making) are very significant. "I think this project has served as a flagship for our department as to how we intend to target these individuals in the future." The investigation is continuing and further arrests are likely. About 100 officers were involved in the raids early Friday morning. Members of the organized crime and drug units used battering rams and sledgehammers to break down doors in several neighbourhoods, including homes in the North End, East Kildonan and St. Boniface and a hair salon in River Heights. Many of the raids occurred before sunrise. Four officers were sent to hospital after they uncovered dangerous chemicals from a suspected drug lab in the kitchen of a home on Bowman Avenue. Coming off the failed prosecution of five associates of the Hells Angels earlier this year, sources say the police are looking to target lower-level drug distributors. "In every project we hope to work our way up to the top," Baldwin said. "Sometimes the top level of organized crime is so far removed from the day-to-day activities that it's very difficult to reach." Baldwin also said there are about a dozen full-fledged members of the Zig Zag Crew and another 40 people closely aligned with the gang. He said police believe those associated with the gang move drugs for the Hells Angels and provide much of its muscle on the street. "I think it would be safe to say that they are used in enforcement activities for the Angels and in their own operations," he said. "But it all boils down to making money, and making money is selling drugs." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek