DRUG BUSTS A RISKY AFFAIR

'Biggest Operation' in Force's History Sees 70 Arrests

Police yesterday were celebrating the apparent dismantling of one of
the region's most prolific supply chains for cocaine and other drugs
after a high-risk operation that saw 70 people arrested.

Police called the operation the largest and most successful undercover
drug investigation in the Ottawa-Carleton force's history.

"I have been involved as a police officer 20 years with this force and
I believe this was the biggest operation we have ever been involved
in," said Supt. Knowlton Roberts of the force's criminal investigation
section. "The police work was outstanding."

Dubbed Project CAPE, the 16-month undercover investigation culminated
Thursday with a flurry of pre-dawn raids.

Some 170 officers, including heavily armed tactical units, began
assembling about 2 a.m. and before 5 a.m. officers had fanned across
the region to round up the principals in the alleged crime network.

"We were able to work up the chain and we managed to take out some of
the top people ? and also move into Hamilton and Montreal," said RCMP
Insp. Garry Clement. "I'm satisfied we reached a satisfactory level."

Police said the execution of almost 50 warrants went off virtually
without incident and officers worked round-the-clock to process those
arrested and what they seized.

"The work that went on with this operation was remarkable," said Supt.
Roberts

"Just the danger the undercover officers put themselves in by making
drug purchases.

"Looking at the weapons we seized, this was very high-risk police work.
I can't imagine the consequences if our people had been found out."

Yesterday, police showed off just a cross-section of the loot they
collected, which included $600,000 worth of marijuana, cocaine and
crack cocaine, $100,000 in cash, another $100,000 in stolen property
and 27 firearms, including several high-powered assault weapons.

Police also seized property through the proceeds of crime legislation,
under which police can seize any assets purchased with money earned
from crime. The property included at least one luxury home, several
vehicles, a motorcycle, boats, artwork and household furnishings that
police have yet to value.

Also prominently displayed was paraphernalia including bracelets,
vests and jackets sporting the colours, or symbols, of the Outlaws
motorcycle gang.

Police believe the Outlaws and other gangs in the area have ties to
the crime ring.

The investigation began early in 1999 when the Ottawa-Carleton police,
the OPP and the RCMP agreed to set up a large-scale operation
targeting criminal organizations that had been operating with what
police called "perceived immunity."

Yesterday, Supt. Roberts and Insp. Clement put red dots on a map of
the region to show the approximate locations where search and arrest
warrants were executed.

They included locations in Dunrobin, Constance Bay, Carp, Ottawa's
west end, Nepean, Centretown and Navan.

"The message is clear," said Insp. Clement. "We and our partners had
launched war on the drug trade."

Police released the names of 22 people arrested in the sweep, while
some of the others who were arrested continue to be processed. Many
made court appearances yesterday.

Among those arrested is Ronald Trempe, a Kanata family man with
alleged business connections to area motorcycle gangs.

Police raided Mr. Trempe's upscale Kanata home and seized two
vehicles, Mr. Trempe's personal Harley-Davidson motorcycle and
unspecified household furnishings and cash.

They also froze some of Mr. Trempe's other assets while the RCMP's
integrated proceeds of crime section continues to work on the file.

"Very few of these people are not known to police," said Supt.
Roberts. "Through the proceeds of crime legislation, we feel our
seizures will make it difficult for these people to re-establish
themselves easily."

Those arrested and charged in Project CAPE include:

Ronald Trempe, Kanata

Thomas Parson, Nepean

Kevin Margison, Ottawa

Connie Potsma, Ottawa

Steven Hollenkamp, Nepean

Derek Mosley, Constance Bay

Wayne Hynes, Ramsay Township

Joseph Cianci, Ottawa

Robert Pendrith, Ottawa

Graham Thomas, Kanata

Roke Vaillant, Constance Bay

Curtis Wilson, Pakenham

Michael Richards, Pakenham

Robert Pilon, Kemptville

Jacques Drouin, Orleans

Sammy Re, Montreal

Richard Clarke, Lasalle

Brent Scarisbrick, Hamilton

Brian Carr, Carp

Douglas Stowe, Kanata

Kevin Abbott, Ottawa

Randy Abbott, Ottawa