SUMMER OF VIOLENCE

Gang Battles For Drug Trade Expected: Cops

Winnipeg police are expecting a surge in violence between the city's street
gangs this summer.

Conflict between the various groups as a result of heavy competition in the
drug trade could make for a volatile few months.

"We anticipate there's going to be a lot of violence this summer between
all the groups as they compete for their share of the drug revenues," said
Sgt. Cam Baldwin of the gang unit.

"We know there's some bad blood between the gangs. How it will play out, we
don't know. There's a lot of money at stake, and everybody is vying for
their share of the market."

Police believe the dispute between members of two rival street gangs -- the
relatively new "LHS" gang and another area drug-dealing group -- erupted in
fighting over women earlier this week in the West End.

The LHS street gang -- which stands for Loyalty, Honour and Silence -- has
been around for two or three years. The group has about 20 members and many
affiliates.

Numbers Changing Daily

"I couldn't even put a number on it. It's changing daily," Baldwin said.

Members range in age from about 18 to 25 and their presence is not limited
to any specific area of the city, including upper-scale residential
neighbourhoods.

"They've got more money than you or I and they don't pay taxes. They
probably make more money than the judges who are letting them off," said
Baldwin.

They deal primarily in crack cocaine, police said. Although membership is
multi-ethnic, it is designated by a tattoo of the Chinese characters for
their name.

"They're just as dangerous as any of our other groups we have in the city,"
said Baldwin.

The alleged LHS leaders are two brothers who are both facing charges of
cons piracy to traffic cocaine.

Another duo of brothers allegedly head up the rival drug dealing group. The
30 members also deal primarily in crack cocaine, mostly in the core area,
police said.

During an incident on Sunday, a woman was hit with a baseball bat but did
not require medical treatment, and a vehicle was smashed. Two suspects with
links to the LHS gang were arrested yesterday after a series of assaults
and firearm offences, while police look for a third man.

On Tuesday, seven shots were fired from a vehicle at a Sherburn Street
house. Police said a youth with ties to the rival drug-dealing group lives
at the home. No one was injured, and the suspects fled.

Cops later spotted the vehicle near Notre Dame Avenue and Keewatin Street.
The three suspects ran, but two were captured by police. Charges have yet
to be laid.

Police are not sure what role members of the Manitoba Warriors may play in
the battle to control drug turf. Warriors busted in the massive 1997 drug
investigation Operation Northern Snow have served their time.

"We don't know where they're going to land," Baldwin said.

A Warrior was involved in a gang-related dispute Saturday which also
erupted in gunfire on Selkirk Avenue. Four people were arrested after a
house party spilled into the street and numerous shots were fired.

The Ruthless Posse street gang still exists in the North End while some
members of the Indian Posse are being absorbed into either LHS or the rival
drug dealing group, police said. However, the Indian Posse is still active.