COP TIP-OFF ALLEGED

Possibility Officer Warned Family About Raid 'Could Shatter The
Foundations Of Trust On The Force'

A MAC-11, a semi-automatic machinegun with a 30-round magazine, was
among the weapons seized in Thursday's raids. (Greg Henkenhaf, Sun
Media)

One of the suspected gang members targeted in the massive law
enforcement takedown of the Driftwood Crips was apparently tipped off
by a family member on the force, a Toronto Police source said yesterday.

The suspect was able to avoid the raids early Wednesday morning but
was later arrested and may have removed guns and drugs from his home,
the source said.

Another police source said: "This could shatter the foundations of
trust on the force."

But the lawyer for the police officer at the centre of the controversy
dismissed the allegations as "nonsense" and nothing but
"scapegoating".

His client, a five-year veteran, "did nothing wrong," Gary Clewley
said.

700 CHARGES

Project Kryptic, involving hundreds of cops in the Driftwood area of
Jane St. and Finch Ave., led to more than 700 charges against 98
adults and seven youths alleging gangsterism, drug possession and
trafficking, and a slew of firearm offences.

There was no official comment last night from Toronto Police brass but
some officers said an internal probe is required.

"There had better be," another source said. "There were at least four
gang members who seemed to get away and there was not the amount of
guns, cash and drugs found as expected."

Clewley said when police entered a Driftwood-area home they found the
officer's ID and other personal items.

'ANOTHER LOCATION'

A police source said, "they immediately tried to determine where he
was and they found out he was part of the takedown team but in another
location ... turns out this was his mother's home."

When the dust settled his stepbrother and his nephew were charged and
the officer was pulled off the road and brought to 31 Division for
questioning.

"They dragged him in there and jammed him in a room," Clewley said.
"They jammed him up because of his relatives. I told them to charge
him or to get out of Dodge."

Police then released his client, he said.

But questions among the officer's colleagues continue.

"Some are wondering if it is possible a member of a street gang could
infiltrate the police," a source said.

Clewley called the question ridiculous.

"They didn't find everything they wanted to find and now they are
looking for a scapegoat," he said. "He is a good cop."

He happened to be staying with his mother at the time of the raid and
had no knowledge that her home would be a target in the project,
Clewley said. "He has done nothing wrong."

But a police source said front-line officers are concerned.

Police association president Dave Wilson refused comment last night.