RAIDS SHOCK BUSINESSES

Hurt In 'Very Public Disruption' By Drug Bust Cops

Several businesses stormed by police cracking an Edmonton-based
Jamaican cocaine ring claim to have no knowledge organized crime was
literally working outside their front door.

Scarlett Wilson-Campbell, manager of Empire Express Travel, 3422 43
Ave., is steamed about the unwanted publicity after cops raided the
business Friday.

The very public disruption, she said, presumes the business "must be
guilty" when it's not.

A manager from Imagine the Taste eatery, 9008 Jasper Ave., was also
stunned to find officers buzzing about Friday - but none of those
wanted by police worked in the establishment, said the cook, who did
not want to be identified.

A neighbour who lives beside one of the suspects said if the "quiet"
couple she knows is guilty, they've been skilled at hiding their
darker side.

Residents were shocked to see cops breaking into the unoccupied home
and seizing possessions - including a sound system worth over $100,000
- - during the raids on 13 Edmonton homes, she added. "We had no idea."

Over 100 cops swept down on the homes Friday - including a drug stash
house and fortified crack house - and five businesses.

Sixteen people were arrested while warrants were issued for 10 more.
One of the wanted men, Pillip Malott, 49, of Edmonton, turned himself
in after the raids Friday night.

Some 5.5 kg of powder cocaine and crack cocaine with an estimated
street value of $910,000 were seized during the sting.

About $648,000 in cash, jewels, weapons and cars were also
confiscated.

Cops also raided an auto detailing shop, Phat Performance and
Detailing Group, 12467 97 St., an accounting firm near 101 Avenue and
106 Street, and a second travel agency near 120 Street and Jasper Avenue.

Several tips called in to the cops led police to a north-side home
yesterday but nobody was found inside, said acting north division
Staff Sgt. Randy Schreiner.

"The car was gone but we'll just keep going back and making checks,"
he said.

Arrest warrants are still out for Cleveland Herman Brown, 35, of
Ontario; Ebony Simone Carter, 23, of Edmonton; Tafarian Dixon, 18, of
Edmonton; Angelo Christ Guemos, 33, of B.C.; Jonathan William Maters,
24, of Edmonton; Terrance Carl Larson Quinn, 24, of Edmonton; Bobby
Sheik Singh, 23, of Edmonton; Dwight Anthony Smith, 29, of Edmonton;
and Marcello Weymoor Smith, 28, of Ontario.