HELLS HAVE PUPPET CLUB: COPS

The Hells Angels have made it official, according to Winnipeg police
intelligence. The Manitoba chapter of the outlaw biker gang granted the Zig
Zag Crew official status as a "puppet club" about six weeks ago, Sgt. Cam
Baldwin said yesterday.

"I wouldn't describe the Zig Zags as biker riders," said Baldwin, who heads
the Winnipeg police organized crime unit. "But, as I say, the Hells Angels
are recruiting their new members from the Zig Zag Crew.

"That is their puppet club here in Manitoba."

Since being granted official status with the Hells Angels, members of the
Zig Zag Crew have been spotted wearing leather vests with the gang's fiery
logo.

"The vest comes after you've received a Zig Zag tattoo, and the senior
members of the Zig Zag organization determine who's allowed to get a
tattoo," Baldwin said.

Besides serving as a training ground, the Zig Zag Crew helps distribute
cocaine and other illegal drugs.

MAKING MONEY

"It all boils down to making money, and making money is selling drugs,"
Baldwin added.

"I think it would be safe to say they're also used in enforcement
activities for the Angels and in their own operations as well."

The Zig Zag Crew, named after cigarette rolling papers, consists of about a
dozen full-fledged members and 35 to 40 associates and wannabes.

A street source told The Sun that Zig Zags are considered "security guards
for the Hells Angels."

Many members are in their 20s and are from south Winnipeg.

Police say Zig Zag members are overseen by a couple of the younger Hells
Angels members.

"I think they have their own aspirations to one day control the Manitoba
chapter," Baldwin said.

Several of the older bikers wanted the Zig Zags disbanded, but the younger
bikers refused, a police source said.

The Zig Zag Crew was officially formed in 1998 by a member of the then Los
Brovos outlaw motorcycle gang.