ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS TARGETING CITY FOR OPERATIONS

Lethbridge regional police say an increasing number of organized crime
groups from larger cities are moving in but their illicit activities
won't be tolerated.

Police laid 100 charges this week after busting a major dial-a-doper
drug ring with ties to an Edmonton-based Asian gang.

"There will be a definite impact on this group and others for a short
term," said Sgt. Rod Klassen. "But typically either this group will
re-set up or another group will move in and take over."

A total of 21 people -- including 15 from Lethbridge and six from
Edmonton -- face counts of cocaine trafficking, profiting from the
proceeds of crime and probation breaches following a year-long
investigation.

Neither Lethbridge or Edmonton police would confirm reports members of
the Crazy Dragons, an Edmonton-based group believed to be enforcers
for an Asian gang, were charged in the case.

Last May Lethbridge regional police shut down two cocaine trafficking
rings, one operated by dealers primarily from Calgary and the other by
a southern Alberta gang called the D.C. Boys. In those cases, more
than 90 charges were laid.

"It's definitely on the rise as far as we can tell right now," said
Klassen. "Different groups are moving into Lethbridge that have no
affiliation with (the city)."

Klassen says it's usually a gradual process and typically a group will
move its own people in first, before recruiting locals -- usually
young adults.

"They set up over a period of time."

Profits from the operation are then funnelled back to wherever the
group originates.

In the most recent dial-a-doper case, Klassen said the group was
selling cocaine only.

"They're dealing cocaine by cellular phone. You phone the phone, they
meet you," he said, noting the drug transactions took place in
locations throughout the city.

"They were basically a 24/7 operation."

Klassen declined to comment on what kind of profits the drug ring was
netting but says from experience working on other dial-a-doper cases
where police have seized the phones, "they're ringing all the time."