DRUG BUSTS SETBACK FOR GANG, POLICE SAY

Numerous Arrests, Seizures In Zig Zag Sweep

A series of drug raids by Winnipeg police was designed to put a dent
in the distribution network of a street gang associated with the Hells
Angels.

Police confirmed yesterday that 14 homes connected to members of the
Zig Zag Crew were targeted last Friday.

The Zig Zag Crew was granted official status as a puppet club for the
Winnipeg chapter of the Hells Angels just six weeks ago, police say.

But it's believed gang members have been the underlings of the Hells
Angels for several years and are often recruited to the biker gang.
Three former Zig Zag members are now members of the Hells Angels and a
fourth is a prospective member, one rung below a full member.

The police raids were part of a 10-month investigation called
Othello.

Last Friday, in a series of raids, police arrested 35 people on
charges of conspiracy to traffic in marijuana and cocaine, trafficking
in both, and numerous proceeds-of-crime offences. All were released on
a promise to appear in court at a later date.

Sgt. Cam Baldwin of the organized crime unit said it's believed the
cocaine trade represents revenues of about $5 million a month in the
city.

"This is small, relative to what's happening city-wide," said Baldwin,
referring to the raids. "Drug distribution is so widespread in the
city that there's always people involved in the industry to take the
place of the ones arrested.

"But I do think this one particular drug cell we have targeted within
the Zig Zag organization will be seriously compromised by it, and it
will take them awhile to re-establish themselves."

Drugs seized recently include 1.75 kilograms of cocaine, six kilograms
of marijuana, 150 plants from grow operations and small quantities of
methamphetamine and ecstasy.

Police had a portion of the seized drugs, with a street value of about
$160,000, on display for reporters yesterday. Investigators also
seized $250,000 Cdn and $7,000 US in cash.

"We feel that we put a significant dent into the drug-distribution
operations," Baldwin said. "As we know, cocaine fuels the organized
crime world and the revenues that some of these people are (making)
are very significant.

"I think this project has served as a flagship for our department as
to how we intend to target these individuals in the future."

The investigation is continuing and further arrests are
likely.

About 100 officers were involved in the raids early Friday
morning.

Members of the organized crime and drug units used battering rams and
sledgehammers to break down doors in several neighbourhoods, including
homes in the North End, East Kildonan and St. Boniface and a hair
salon in River Heights.

Many of the raids occurred before sunrise.

Four officers were sent to hospital after they uncovered dangerous
chemicals from a suspected drug lab in the kitchen of a home on Bowman
Avenue.

Coming off the failed prosecution of five associates of the Hells
Angels earlier this year, sources say the police are looking to target
lower-level drug distributors. "In every project we hope to work our
way up to the top," Baldwin said. "Sometimes the top level of
organized crime is so far removed from the day-to-day activities that
it's very difficult to reach."

Baldwin also said there are about a dozen full-fledged members of the
Zig Zag Crew and another 40 people closely aligned with the gang.

He said police believe those associated with the gang move drugs for
the Hells Angels and provide much of its muscle on the street.

"I think it would be safe to say that they are used in enforcement
activities for the Angels and in their own operations," he said. "But
it all boils down to making money, and making money is selling drugs."