Pubdate: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Copyright: 2009 Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.edmontonsun.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135 Author: Andrew Hanon EDMONTON'S REDD ALERT NATIVE GANG IS HELPING THE INDEPENDENT SOLDIERS IN VANCOUVER GANG WAR - SOURCE Some of the thugs spilling blood in Vancouver's brutal drug war are imported from Edmonton's biggest native gang, according to a source close to the local street trade. "Redd Alert has partnered up with the (Vancouver-based) Independent Soldiers," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "They're in Vancouver to provide muscle, so you can bet they're doing some of the killing." Insp. Kevin Galvin, head of the Edmonton police's organized crime branch, said Redd Alert members are in Vancouver, but could not say exactly what they're doing there. "Violence is a way of life for (Redd Alert)," the source said. "Joining forces with the Soldiers makes a lot of sense, in terms of strategy. The Soldiers have the money and drug connections. Redd Alert can provide protection, especially in the jail system, where their numbers are really big." Redd Alert started in Edmonton in the mid-1990s and at one time boasted hundreds of foot soldiers. It was formed by locals to battle an influx of native gangsters from Winnipeg who had been transferred from Stony Mountain Penitentiary to the Edmonton Max. As they were released from jail, the Manitobans stayed here and tried to take over the street drug trade. In recent years, however, native gangs lost their grip on street dealing as better-connected, richer criminal organizations moved into Edmonton. Nowadays, native gangs mostly provide muscle for hire - collecting on drug debts, disciplining others and eliminating enemies. The Independent Soldiers emerged out of Vancouver's large Sikh community, but has become a multi-racial gang. It has spread its influence across B.C. and into Alberta. Last May Edmonton police seized several weapons - including an assault rifle - drugs and cash that they said belonged to members of the Soldiers. They said about 70 members and associates were operating in the city. At the time cops referred to them as a "developing group" in the local drug trade. "We're not sure who they're allied with and who they're against," Const. Kevin Berge of the Metro Edmonton gang unit told reporters. "I would suggest that the Independent Soldiers are friendly with Hells Angels." The Soldiers are in an all-out war over the drug trade in Vancouver with the U.N. gang, another organization with a reputation for ruthlessness. There have been 30 shootings leaving 15 dead since January. The revelation of the Redd Alert's alleged ties to the Soldiers comes just as the premiers of B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan vowed to work together for changes to the Criminal Code that will help the war on gangs. Among the reforms on the premiers' wish list are changes to surveillance provisions, which they say have not kept up with technology. Galvin agrees. The current rules, he said, "are crippling" for police. "They simply have not kept up with how organized crime groups ply their trade," he said. The current rules are about 35 years old and they don't take into account technologies like encrypted e-mail, smartphones or even the Internet. As a result, Galvin said, police and Crown prosecutors must go through a Byzantine process to get the green light to gather digital evidence and then be allowed to present it in court. Other countries have already made the adjustments, and a recent joint operation between U.S., Australian and Canadian cops shows the discrepancy. In order to gather the same evidence in all three countries, American police needed to obtain 12 judicial authorizations and warrants. Ditto the Australians. To do the same work, Canadian police needed 200. The gang source said criminals know they have the upper hand. "Money talks, and these guys have a lot of it. They can pay for whatever they need to stay ahead of the police." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom