SAMPLES OF CRACK GIVEN OUT

Two alleged members of a burgeoning Winnipeg street gang are accused of
handing out free samples of crack cocaine in a Fort Rouge neighbourhood in
order to hook new customers. Winnipeg police were alerted to the alleged
enterprising operation on Tuesday, when two adults reported they were
approached by two men handing out pieces of crack in the 500 block of Hay
Street, just east of Osborne Street.

"Their intent was to hand it out to get new customers, get them hooked and
then they're on the hook for more crack," said Sgt. David Black of the
Winnipeg police organized crime unit.

PRICE LIST

Along with the free crack, the men also allegedly provided a price list and
a phone number to place orders for the highly addictive drug.

"I've heard of this years ago in Vancouver with heroin but never with crack
cocaine," Black said, adding it shows how competitive the market in
street-level drug trafficking is getting. "I think they (dealers) are
becoming more bold in how they traffic."

A small rock of crack sells for $25, so the pieces that were given away
were each worth "a lot less than that," Black said.

The two men were allegedly driving around the area, which includes
Churchill High School, targeting adults and teens.

No students from the high school were reportedly approached by the men and
no offers to try the free crack were made on school property as far as
police know.

However, one of the two men arrested is a former Churchill student expelled
earlier this school year, school officials confirmed.

Former classmates described him as a class clown who always wore the latest
designer duds.

They were shocked to find out he had been arrested and charged.

"I don't see how people can deal drugs knowing that you are going to ruin
their lives," said Jill Stuber, 15.

Maria Kotab, 15, added: "To get somebody hooked on crack, it's like do you
want to see them die?"

Churchill principal Jack Solomon said yesterday the school wasn't
specifically targeted. "As far as we're concerned, it's an incident that
took place in the larger community of Winnipeg," he said.

However, the head of the 700-student school praised police for making the
bust. "I'm really pleased that the police are doing this kind of work in
the community and around the school," he said.

Cops arrested two suspects after setting up an undercover sting involving a
drug purchase. Allan James Decker, 18, and his older brother Samuel James
Decker, 23, are charged with drug trafficking.

A police source said the brothers are members of the Mad Cows, a relatively
new street gang and growing that originated in the West End.