Pubdate: Wed, 01 Feb 2006 Source: Lethbridge Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2006 The Lethbridge Herald Contact: http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/239 Author: Kristen Harding Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS TARGETING CITY FOR OPERATIONS Lethbridge regional police say an increasing number of organized crime groups from larger cities are moving in but their illicit activities won't be tolerated. Police laid 100 charges this week after busting a major dial-a-doper drug ring with ties to an Edmonton-based Asian gang. "There will be a definite impact on this group and others for a short term," said Sgt. Rod Klassen. "But typically either this group will re-set up or another group will move in and take over." A total of 21 people -- including 15 from Lethbridge and six from Edmonton -- face counts of cocaine trafficking, profiting from the proceeds of crime and probation breaches following a year-long investigation. Neither Lethbridge or Edmonton police would confirm reports members of the Crazy Dragons, an Edmonton-based group believed to be enforcers for an Asian gang, were charged in the case. Last May Lethbridge regional police shut down two cocaine trafficking rings, one operated by dealers primarily from Calgary and the other by a southern Alberta gang called the D.C. Boys. In those cases, more than 90 charges were laid. "It's definitely on the rise as far as we can tell right now," said Klassen. "Different groups are moving into Lethbridge that have no affiliation with (the city)." Klassen says it's usually a gradual process and typically a group will move its own people in first, before recruiting locals -- usually young adults. "They set up over a period of time." Profits from the operation are then funnelled back to wherever the group originates. In the most recent dial-a-doper case, Klassen said the group was selling cocaine only. "They're dealing cocaine by cellular phone. You phone the phone, they meet you," he said, noting the drug transactions took place in locations throughout the city. "They were basically a 24/7 operation." Klassen declined to comment on what kind of profits the drug ring was netting but says from experience working on other dial-a-doper cases where police have seized the phones, "they're ringing all the time." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake