MAJOR BIKER BUST NETS DRUGS, GUNS

CALGARY -- In the biggest bust of its kind in Alberta, a massive early
morning raid netted cops $1 million in dope, scads of weapons and resulted
in the arrest of dozens of people - including nearly half the membership of
the Calgary Hells Angels.

"Not only is it large by Calgary standards, but by national standards as
well," said Calgary police Insp. Murray Stooke.

The 11-month undercover operation ended yesterday when more than 200
Calgary police officers, Edmonton cops and Mounties executed 27 search
warrants at separate locations, beginning about 4:30 a.m.

"We laid about 200 drug-and-weapon-related charges," said Calgary police
Chief Jack Beaton.

Eight members of the 18-member strong Calgary Hells Angels and more than 30
club prospects and associates were charged with numerous drug and weapons
charges following the nearly year-long investigation that saw undercover
cops buying street drugs.

During the course of the investigation - either through more than 80
undercover drug buys, search warrants or arrests - police seized 11
kilograms of cocaine, four kilograms of marijuana and smaller amounts of
methamphetamine, Valium, morphine and ecstasy.

They also nabbed several weapons including five handguns, an Israeli-made
Uzi machine gun with a silencer, 11 rifles, a shotgun and a Taser stun gun.

The $2.5-million probe, dubbed "Operation Shadow," took police to spots in
Calgary, Chestermere and Turner Valley.

Cops also hit one home south of Calgary where dozens of police, including
TAC team members clad in bullet-proof vests, helmets and balaclavas,
swooped down on a tiny farm house near Okotoks.

The local raid came just two days after after similar raids in Quebec where
2,000 police officers swooped down on and arrested more than 100 Hells Angels.

Many of those rounded up made their first appearances before a judge via a
special video link from prison.

They ranged from stereotypical tattooed, beefy bikers to a 77-year-old man
who shuffled before the camera and told the judge he can't stay in jail
because he's just had prostate surgery and is troubled by a hernia.

Police said they had been biting their nails, wondering if the Quebec
arrests would prematurely spook those targeted in yesterday's raid.

The fact members of the local chapter - dubbed privately by some cops as
The Apple Dumpling Gang - knew about the eastern raids but were still
allegedly nabbed with drugs and guns baffled Beaton.

"Yes, we were surprised, but that told us they didn't know we were coming,"
he said.

Beaton said he had a mandate from the public to do something about the
city's drug trade. "Calgarians have told us illegal drugs are one of their
top concerns."