HALIFAX DRUG DEALERS LIVING IN FEAR OF GANG

'Everyone Is On Edge': Small-Time Criminals Robbed Of Money And Dope

HALIFAX - An armed gang is terrorizing small-time Halifax drug dealers,
robbing them and threatening to invade their homes unless they hand over
money and dope.

But the dealers will not go to the police for help because of their illegal
business.

A local marijuana "distributor" says he has tallied up daily losses over
the last few weeks and worries one of his young pot dealers will be
seriously hurt or killed unless police try to catch the gang ripping off
his dealers.

The man, who asked not to be named or have any references made that could
identify him, said he distributes marijuana to a small network of
street-level dealers in Cole Harbour, a suburb on the outskirts of the city.

For the last month and a half, they have been victimized by a gang armed
with guns and other weapons.

"Some of my guys are only 19 or 20 years old and still live at home with
their parents," said the man. "They're scared."

The distributor said he believes the same group is responsible for as many
as seven ripoffs since the beginning of November.

"It's going to blow up one of these days and somebody is going to get
hurt," the man said. "They're coming in pistol-whipping guys.

"Everyone is on edge."

Police are also concerned about the ripoffs, especially about allegations
that an armed gang is roaming about.

"The safety and the welfare of the community are our main concern," said
RCMP Constable Joe Taplin.

He said that if a complaint of a mugging, home invasion or extortion
attempt is made to police -- even if it is drug-related -- the case is
fully investigated.

"Any time we receive information on these type of incidents we investigate
them," he said, adding police know that crimes committed against other
criminals are often never reported.

He said small-time drug dealers may believe they are doing something
harmless, but they are also part of the criminal element, which increases
their chances of being a victim of crime.

"When you perform illegal acts or are part of the drug trade, there are a
lot of consequences that come along with that.

"One of the consequences is that you are opening yourself up to this."

The RCMP cannot confirm if any of the incidents alleged by the drug
distributor are under investigation.

The RCMP say marijuana dealers and home-growing operations are targets for
criminals either looking to steal grass and cash, or to control the
street-level drug trade.

The 2004 Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada annual report considers
marijuana dealing and neighbourhood grow operations as prime sources of
violence between groups vying for control of the drug trade.