BROOKS RCMP CHARGE 14 IN RAIDS

Gang Members, Associates Arrested During Cocaine Bust

Brooks RCMP have charged 14 suspected gang members and associates for
cocaine trafficking in the largest organized crime bust in the small
city's history.

The local men, most in their late teens and early 20s, were arrested
Thursday night as police stormed four homes, seizing weapons, drugs,
cars and cash.

The five-month-long operation, code-named Project Kool, combined
forces with the Calgary Police Service and the Calgary RCMP drug
units, and the Southern Alberta Integrated Gang Enforcement Team.

The sting hit street-level players as well as upper echelons of the
drug trafficking underworld, police say.

On Thursday, police also seized shotguns, a 9-mm handgun, pellet guns,
swords, brass knuckles, an expandable baton, knives and a
double-headed axe.

Police would not say how much cocaine, marijuana, psilocybin, ecstasy
and drug paraphernalia were seized.

"We're still in the investigative stage," said Brooks RCMP Const.
Carol McKinley. She declined to comment on how many high-ranking
trafficking suspects are full-fledged gang members.

But the dangerous weapons and drugs are symptoms of a gang and drug
problem that has been plaguing the city of 13,000 for years.

Brooks Mayor Don Weisbeck says the significant number of arrests won't
cut organized crime off at the knees, but may slow street drug sales.

"This is the start of things to come. I'd like to see a couple of
these a year for two or three years and just chase them out," said
Weisbeck.

"We're going to be making Brooks a very uncomfortable place for these
people. If you think this is just a one-shot operation, you're hiding
your head in the sand."

Brooks has seen a 350 per cent increase in offences for possessing
cocaine between 2003 and 2004, according to Criminal Intelligence
Service Alberta.

Last year, another joint-forces operation -- called Project Kidrock --
broke up a group dealing drugs in and around Lethbridge, Medicine Hat
and Brooks.

"We're going to continue to put the resources in. It will make a few
of these operators nervous for a little while. If nothing's followed
up, it won't help in the longer term," said Weisbeck.

In Brooks, people calling themselves the D.C. Boys, The Kids, and The
Blood Orcs, are believed responsible for much of the city's drug problems.

The Hells Angels are reported to have a small offshoot in Brooks as
well.

"They're well-established," said Weisbeck.

The fact 10 of the suspects charged are under the age of 23 is also
cause for community concern, the mayor said.

"It's kind of sad that people in their teens are involved when they
could get jobs in the oilpatch. I think that's what happens when these
guys come to town, they attract local people and drag them in."

The citizens of Brooks have high praise for the gang sting, saying
they're fed up watching crack users and dealers blatantly plying their
trade on the streets.

"It's distressing in your own community. The widespread use of cocaine
. . . you can see it in people," said Ed Secondiak. He said residents
find used crack pipes while out for walks.

"I think there's a lot of people in town that have had their lives
destroyed. We've been trying to encourage the police to do that kind
of enforcement."

But Secondiak, a retired Mountie, isn't sure the latest bust will
deter organized crime.

"It's a good start, but there's so many people into it. We'd be sadly
mistaken if we thought that it will take care of everything."

Just over two years ago, residents struck up the Brooks and District
Drug Task Force to educate parents about the reality of crack use and
to send a message to local police and politicians.

Part of the bigger problem is that there are no treatment beds for
drug addiction in either Brooks or nearby Medicine Hat, he said.

Five of the suspects have yet to be arrested.

Some are in custody while others have been released. Police wouldn't
say who was released.

The men will appear in Brooks provincial court Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Brooks is 185 kilometres southeast of Calgary.