SECRET WEAPON CRUMBLED UNDER PRESSURE

An elaborate police investigation into the Hells Angels took a big
hit when their secret weapon -- an undercover agent -- suffered a
major mental breakdown that left him on the verge of suicide, jurors
heard Tuesday.

The pressure of infiltrating the local chapter of the world's most
notorious criminal organization proved too much to handle for Franco
Atanasovic.

"He was an emotional mess," RCMP Staff Sgt. Paul Saganski said of
Atanasovic, a career criminal who was paid $525,000 for his dangerous
work which involved drug deals captured on audio and video surveillance.

"He basically had a complete breakdown in front of us. It was to the
point that I was fearful he was suicidal."

Saganski was the second witness to testify in a two-month trial
against Ian Grant, a full-patch biker facing nine charges, including
cocaine trafficking, proceeds of crime, participating in a criminal
organization and extortion.

Saganski was one of Atanasovic's "handlers" after he signed a deal
with Manitoba justice officials to go undercover and participate in a
series of major drug buys from various targets in the criminal underworld.

Police were on the verge of wrapping up their case against 15 bikers
and associates when Atanasovic took a sudden turn for the worse in
the fall of 2005, said Saganski.

Plans for an October raid had to be scrapped while Atanasovic
underwent extensive counselling and medical treatment with a local
psychologist.

"As a result of this crisis, we postponed it. The agent was found to
be suffering from a severe depressive episode with some suicidal
tendencies," said Saganski.

"I told him we would slow everything down and deal with his mental
health. I told him I was available to talk 24/7. As time went on, he improved."

Atanasovic was eventually given a clean bill of health after
Christmas, and the investigation wrapped up in dramatic fashion with
a series of arrests in February 2006.

"We were concerned that his true identity as a police agent might be
exposed if it went on any longer," said Saganski.

Atanasovic's mental status wasn't the only headache for police,
jurors were told.

His handlers learned in August 2005 that Atanasovic was being
investigated for a criminal complaint related to a motorcycle
purchase. Saganski said the task force assigned to the Hells case --
which was called "Operation Defence" -- didn't interfere with the
Winnipeg police probe.

Ultimately, no charges were laid against Atanasovic, said Saganski.

A second criminal complaint against Atanasovic came in November 2005
involving a property dispute with his estranged wife. Once again, no
charges were laid and Saganski said his team didn't run any interference.

The biggest blow to Atanasovic's credibility came once the arrests
had already been made. Police learned he had stolen some of the
marked money that investigators had given him to make drug purchases
from his targets.

On one occasion, Atanasovic admitted getting his teen son to meet him
in the bathroom of a Tim Hortons where he handed him $5,000 cash
while running the blow-dryer so his wiretap wouldn't pick up the conversation.

Saganski said Tuesday the theft allegations have now been referred to
major crime investigators with the RCMP to determine if Atanasovic
will be charged. No decision has been made.

Atanasovic also admitted to having other cellular phones which he
didn't tell police about and used to make dozens of unmonitored phone
calls -- a clear violation of police policy.

Despite the problems, RCMP Insp. Dennis McGuffin said police couldn't
have been more pleased with Atanasovic's work.

"Overall the agent's performance through the course of this
investigation far exceeded what anyone could have expected," he said
Tuesday morning.

Defence lawyer Ian Garber attacked the credibility of Atanasovic and
questioned why police would give a $175,000 bonus to a man who
clearly lied, cheated and stole from his handlers.

Atanasovic was originally only going to get $350,000 but police
increased his pay when the scope of their investigation widened from
seven targets to 15.

Garber also criticized police for failing to keep a closer watch on Atanasovic.

But McGuffin said they did the best job they could and don't believe
his conduct has hurt their case against Grant or the other accused.

www.mikeoncrime.com