LETHBRIDGE RAIDS BUST DIAL-A-DOPERS

Lethbridge police have laid 100 charges in connection with a
dial-a-dope operation after a year-long investigation into an Edmonton
crime ring.

Two youths and 20 adults were charged with various offences, including
cocaine trafficking and profiting from the proceeds of crime, because
of the undercover operation.

"They had phones that ran 24/7. You phone the number and they meet
you," said Sgt. Rod Klassen of the Lethbridge Regional Police Service.

"They are commonly setting up shop, moving down here and taking over
different territories. They come down with their own group at first,
then recruit local people to work for them."

Klassen said the investigation was assisted by the Integrated Response
to Organized Crime and Medicine Hat police.

Warrants were obtained for all 22 suspects and charges were laid last
week.

"They end up being a pretty tight-knit group, all working their way up
the line, basically working for the same person," Klassen said.

Such operations -- based in larger centres, then moved to Lethbridge
- -- have become increasingly common, said Klassen.

"It's something that's been happening over the last three or four
years," he said.

"We've seen these outside groups moving in. They're virtually unknown
to our area, then all of a sudden, they're here. I think they see it
as an untapped area."