CRACK RING HIT: POLICE

Smaller Gangs Filling Hells Distribution Void On Main, Police Say

The Montreal police drug squad has busted a crack distribution ring
which was doing big business peddling rocks on the Main.

The gang behind the distribution, known as The Syndicates, is
affiliated with the Hells Angels biker gang, police said yesterday.

The distribution was done largely near the intersection of St. Laurent
Blvd. and Ste. Catherine Sts. for many small-time dealers in the area.

Investigators were able to find the hidden drugs before they were
sold. Supply was likely high because it was nearing the end of the
month when dealers do a brisk business, said said Commander Giovanni
Di Feo, head of the Montreal police drug squad in the downtown and
surrounding areas.

Officers seized 1,267 rocks of crack which have a street value of $20
a piece. Also seized was ecstacy, phencyclidine (PCP) and psilocybine
(LSD).

The investigation had been ongoing for weeks, police said. The amount
of drugs seized was about two or three days worth of supply.

The Syndicates, a gang that took over drug distribution networks when
the Hells Angels were arrested, are one of a number of gangs that have
risen to take the place of the incarcerated bikers.

"They've been in operation for quite some time. There are a lot of new
little gangs that are coming up that are affiliated with biker gangs,"
Di Feo said. "A little while before the bikers were mopped up, these
guys were moving up."

Police nabbed four people, all of whom appeared in court on June
3rd.

Frederick Mayen, 19, and Jonathan Mayen, 21, as well as Cindy
Walbanonik, 22 , were arrested and charged with numerous charges
ranging from drug trafficking and drug possession for the purposes of
trafficking and conspiracy to traffic.

Also nabbed was the presumed ring-leader, Eddy Senat, described by
police as a street boss who has strong ties to the Syndicates
organization, was also nabbed. Senat is also associated with biker
gangs, police said.

Of the groups working in that part of the downtown area, The
Syndicates "were the most active ones," Di Feo said.

Police say they expect to make more arrests.