MOTORCYCLE GANGS SET TO STAKE OUT METH TURF

Two rival motorcycle gangs with strong ties to meth distribution have
targeted Utah, Idaho and Wyoming for their next turf war, according to
officers with the Salt Lake metro gang unit.

The Hell's Angels from the west and the Bandidos from the east are expected
to arrive in Utah soon, said Salt Lake County sheriff's Detective Jason
Mazuran. He expects the motorcycle clubs to import loads of
methamphetamine, adding to the growing list of gangs entrenched in the drug
trade.

Mazuran and Sandy police Detective Mike Ikemiyashiro outlined the
frightening connection between gangs, drugs and firearms on Thursday as
part of the 2003 Utah Gang Conference.

The conference, which teaches law enforcement and social program
coordinators about gang trends, will conclude today.

Once gangs became heavily involved in selling drugs, turf became less
important, hand signs were flashed only in private and the famous colored
bandanas were tucked securely into a pants pocket. The gang became a
profit-driven organization requiring covert actions to avoid police
detection, the detectives said.

"The gang is a natural way to market and sell drugs," Mazuran said. "The
two fit very nicely."

Gangsters are not always in control of the drug sales; sometimes they act
as muscle for a local meth cook.

"They are enforcers. They have a reputation of violence and will work for
dope or money," Ikemiyashiro said.

Latino gangs are the most organized when it comes to the drug trade. Many
have made alliances with Mexican cartels to import the drugs and alliances
with other local gangs to distribute them, Mazuran said.

Marijuana is the most common, though large amounts of meth and cocaine also
pass through gangsters' hands.

"Frankly, it is easy to make money selling drugs," Mazuran said.

The detectives encouraged other police officers to be vigilant when it
comes to drug cases involving gangsters.

Gang members tend to be heavily armed, many with high caliber weapons with
laser sights.

They also sell weapons. A gun sold by a gang member involved in the drug
trade ended up in the hands of a boy who killed West Jordan police officer
Ronald Wood on Nov. 18, Ikemiyashiro said.

The gang unit has stepped up surveillance of these gang members, sharing
the information with law enforcement throughout the valley.

The gang unit has also started prosecuting some gangs using racketeering
charges generally reserved for organized crime.