'It's Going to Be a Little Bit Harder to Get Your Cocaine Invernon'

TEN PEOPLE FACE DRUG CHARGES AFTER CITY SWEEP

VERNON -- Four men have been charged with first-degree murder in the
death of a man who disappeared in August 2004.

They are part of a group of eight men and two women who police say
make up "The Greeks," which police allege is an organized crime
network based in Vernon.

The group has also been charged with drug offences, including
trafficking cocaine and marijuana.

"I would very strongly suspect that it's going to be a little bit
harder to get your cocaine in Vernon over the next few months," said
RCMP Cpl. Henry Proce.

Andre Raymond, Dale Sipes, Leslie Podolski and Sheldon O'Donnell face
first-degree murder charges in the death of 45-year-old David Marniuk.

Peter Manolakos, alleged to be the ringleader of the group, is charged
with manslaughter in the death.

Charged with drug offences are Kevin Couture, Athanassius Ganatsios,
Michael Roy, Joanne Verigin and Donna Blackman.

Proce said police are also probing six other unsolved homicides
between July 2004 and June 2005.

Police allege that the group was the primary distributor of crack
cocaine in Vernon, as well as several other cities and towns.

Police link The Greeks to crimes in Vernon, Salmon Arm, Enderby,
Kelowna, Revelstoke, Vancouver, Midway, Grand Prairie and Edmonton.

Police also believe they may have connections to other gangs,
including the Hells Angels.

"These were some very, very serious players and we are very, very
happy to get them off the street," Proce said.

Their tattoo says "Ema," which stands for family, and has the omega
symbol.

Police said they seized $200,000 in cash, almost four kilograms of
cocaine, 27 pounds of marijuana and an arsenal of weapons, including
sawed-off shotguns, revolvers, pistols and semi-automatics during the
investigation.

All 10 suspects appeared in court in Kelowna on Monday and will have
bail hearings next month.