MOUNTIES TARGET NEW GANG

An aboriginal street gang known for its involvement in the drug and
weapons trade has made its first appearance in the Tournament Capital
of Canada, according to the RCMP.

In a media show-and-tell on Monday, Kamloops RCMP Insp. Yves Lacasse
confirmed that the drugs and weapons seized from a Kamloops home nine
days ago belonged to two alleged members of the Redd Alert street gang.

The arrested men, a 31 year old, of Kamloops and his 26 year old
brother , of Chase, both had the letters "RA" tattooed onto their
bodies, Lacasse said.

"Criminal intelligence indicates that this gang originated in Alberta
in 2000 and has expanded through Western Canada," Lacasse said.

"This was the first time we became aware of this gang in Kamloops."

According to the Crime Intelligence Service Canada's 2004 Report on
Organized Crime in Canada, Redd Alert is one of three dominant street
gangs in Alberta.

Its presence has been reported in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver in
Canada and in Denver, San Francisco and Houston south of the border.

The report said the gang has started to expand into smaller communities.

Kamloops Mounties are unaware if there are additional members
operating in the city.

Standing beside three tables worth of weapons, cash and drugs seized
from the North Kamloops residence last week, Lacasse highlighted this
most recent bust as an example of the RCMP's continued vigilance in
battling drugs in the city.

Since January, the RCMP have seized an estimated $696,000 worth of
drugs and have removed approximately 221 weapons from the streets.

"Combatting the illegal drug trade and its associated activities
continues to be a priority of all members of the Kamloops RCMP
detachment," Lacasse said.

"I would like to give credit to our people, who have been extremely
proactive. That is probably one of the reasons why we have seized
more firearms and handguns in the past year."

Members of the Kamloops drug-enforcement unit arrested the brothers
on Oct. 30 as they left their home in the 300-block of Fortune Drive.

The daytime arrest was the culmination of a two-month investigation
that involved community support and, Lacasse said, "a lot of hard work."

Seized in the subsequent search of the residence was more than
$17,000 worth of cash (in both Canadian and U.S. currencies), 29
ounces of cocaine with an estimated street value of approximately
$35,000 and a sizeable weapons cache that included a prohibited
Inter-arms Virginian Dragoon 44 magnum handgun and a copy of a AK47
assault rifle.

Additionally, upon arrest, the 26 year old was found to be wearing
what Lacasse called a "high-quality" bulletproof vest with "advanced
stopping power that supercedes most tactical ballistic vests worn by
law-enforcement personnel."

Lacasse said the calibre of weapons seized hints at the growing
sophistication of drug dealers and the continued threat they pose to
the community.

"During the last year we've noticed a substantial increase in the
seizure of hand guns, prohibited weapons and restricted weapons from
drug dealers in Kamloops," he said. "Drug dealers are arming
themselves in a direct effort to protect their criminal interest from
attack by rival drug gangs."

The brothers have been charged with possession of cocaine for the
purpose of trafficking, unsafe storage of a firearm, possession of a
restricted weapon, possession of prohibited devices, carrying a
concealed weapon and possession of stolen property.

The 31 year old remains in custody pending a future court appearance,
while the 26 year old has been released from custody pending a future
court appearance.

Both men are known to police.

The weapons will be sent to Vancouver for further analysis after the
Kamloops RCMP have finished their evaluation.

Meanwhile, Const. Fran Bethell said the RCMP haven't received any
signs that the appearance of this newest street gang will result in a turf war.

Last month, it was reported by KTW that a street brawl in downtown
Kamloops involved members of the Kelowna-based Independent Soldiers.

"We don't have any [gangs] that reside here," she said. "But we
monitor [them] where we are able to and, as in this case, we do enforcement."

However, Lacasse said there has been a spike in the gang activity in
the Tournament Capital.

At the press conference, he said it is believed Redd Alert is
affiliated with other known gangs.

"We are seeing more gang presence now in Kamloops," he said. "It is
not unusual to see members of the Hells Angels in Kamloops and other
little crime gangs.

"I believe we are alive to these issues and we are going to continue
to be extremely proactive in our efforts."

According to a 2004 report on organized crime in Canada,
aboriginal-based street gangs, such as Redd Alert, generally "support
and facilitate" crime groups such as the Hells Angels and Asian gangs.