NEW ORGANIZED-CRIME TASK FORCE GETS QUIET DEBUT

GARY Doer's New Democrats and the two largest police agencies in Manitoba
took a low-key approach in introducing law enforcement's answer to the
Hells Angels and the province's lucrative drug trade. In what was
originally supposed to be a major news event, RCMP and Winnipeg police
quietly issued a prepared news release Friday announcing the new integrated
organized crime unit.

"Organized crime poses a very serious long-term threat to Manitoba and
Canada's institutions, society, economy and the quality of life of our
citizens," RCMP Assistant Commissioner Gerry Braun said in a prepared
statement. "It is not, however, just a problem for large cities, but also
impacts on rural Manitobans in many insidious ways."

In the same statement, Winnipeg Police Service Chief Jack Ewatski said
efforts to combat organized crime can be improved through greater sharing
of intelligence on criminal activities.

The province will fund the new joint unit with a $500,000 one-time grant.
Salaries and some overhead costs will be borne by city police and RCMP.

"The province is pleased to back this important initiative," Attorney
General Gord Mackintosh said in the same release. "Manitoba Justice will
provide the support of Crown counsel and funding to cover the initial
extraordinary operating funds needed for the unit." The unit will be
staffed by RCMP and Winnipeg Police Service officers who specialize in drug
and gang investigations. Who is involved and what exactly they'll be doing
is being kept confidential.

Other police organizations in Manitoba may also take part where a need to
combat organized crime in their communities is identified.

RCMP spokesman Sgt. Steve Saunders said the focus of the unit will be on
intelligence-led enforcement to seriously disrupt organized crime at the
leadership level.

"We can't move forward without intelligence," Saunders said. "This might
seem like a leviathan task, but it's one we're willing to accept."

Other provinces have similar units that have successfully targeted outlaw
motorcycle gangs.

Police have already actively targeted participants in the main two drug
gangs in the province, the Hells Angels and a second gang that has no name
but is believed to be selling a lot of crack cocaine. The two groups have
been at odds with one another for more than two years as they fight over
control of the cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana markets. The result has been
several killings and drive-by shootings.