POLICE USE LEGAL HOME INVASIONS IN ARRESTS

THEY broke in under the cover of darkness, holding flashlights and
cameras in their gloved hands as they scurried through a Maples
apartment suite looking for signs of an ongoing drug enterprise.

A flat-screen television was showing what appeared to be a curling
game. Newspapers and dishes were spread around the messy room.

Within minutes, the jerky camera focused on a shelf holding a scale,
then on a hydraulic press in a bedroom closet.

"Here it is," a voice whispered in the background while panning in on
the device.

"OK, let's get out of here. Let's get the hell out of here. Let's go.
Let's go. Let's go," his partner said.

"Were these doors open or closed?" he asked, wanting to ensure they
left the place exactly as it was when they entered. The two men were
clearly anxious to avoid detection and get out before the residents
returned.

And they did.

Winnipeg police used a pair of so-called "sneak-and-peak" warrants to
commit a series of legal home invasions and set the scene for a major
recent drug bust.

And now a provincial court judge has agreed to let the public come
along for the wild ride by releasing three videotapes that document
the unique sting.

Brian Corrin ruled yesterday there was nothing to prevent broadcast or
publication of the tapes because no ban was sought during a bail
hearing connected to the case, in which one of the eight arrested
suspects was denied release.

Crown and defence lawyers were given another opportunity yesterday to
voice objections to the release but remained silent.

All the accused remain before the courts and are presumed
innocent.

The first stealth visit, in early March, revealed enough evidence to
allow police to obtain a more powerful warrant that let them place two
hidden cameras inside the Leila Avenue suite. Two officers returned
several nights later to plant the cameras and were seen opening and
closing several kitchen cupboards.

The third video is the most revealing of all. It is a compilation of
several nights of surveillance that shows a variety of incidents,
including guns being placed on a counter, drugs appearing to be cut
and sold and money exchanging hands.

Several different people are visible and appear to have had no idea
they were being watched, as they were often jovial and seen laughing
and shadow boxing with each other.

Crown attorney Chris Mainella told court this week that police believe
the home was a "lair" for an extensive drug network that has ties to
organized crime in Manitoba.

No trial dates have been set.