UNDERCOVER STING OPERATION STUNG

Drug Dealer's Arrest Shocks Police in Vice Squad

Winnipeg police nearly blew the lid off their own undercover investigation
when general patrol officers -- unaware a larger sting operation was under
way -- moved in to arrest a drug dealer.

Crown attorney Chris Mainella said yesterday the arrest last winter of James
Prince shocked vice officers who had been working to shut down a cocaine
storefront operation connected to the Hells Angels.

Police involved in the covert operation had observed Prince, 26, and others
making drug sales, but allowed it to continue while they built a case using
an undercover officer posing as a black-market cigarette smuggler. But they
were nearly exposed when the uniformed officers, acting on a tip from their
own informant, arrested Prince.

"The uniformed officers knew nothing about the undercover operation,"
Mainella said yesterday, adding the communications mix-up didn't result in
any further problems.

Prince was eventually released by police after being charged, but ordered to
stay away from Old Joe's Sports Lounge and Deli.

He complied, and police were able to continue their sting operation for
several more months. They finally moved in last March, charging six people
- -- including Prince -- with a variety of drug offences.

Prince pleaded guilty yesterday and was sentenced to two years in prison
under a joint recommendation from the Crown and defence.

Two other people have already pleaded guilty, including Dawn Deane, the
owner of the pool hall and sister of a known Hells Angels member. She was
sentenced to four years in prison earlier this month.

She was also forced to forfeit her $70,000 interest in the pool hall, which
was seized under new federal proceeds of crime legislation. The federal
government now owns the building, which is adjacent to Justice Minister Gord
Mackintosh's St. John's constituency office.

Also yesterday, a Winnipeg woman pleaded guilty to her role in one of the
largest cocaine operations ever discovered in Winnipeg.

Helen McDonald, 44, was one of 33 people arrested in May 1999 under a joint
Winnipeg police-RCMP investigation. Police used battering rams and police
dogs to search 42 homes throughout the city, arresting dozens of suspects
and seizing more than $150,000 worth of crack cocaine.

Defence lawyer Jason Miller said his client was a drug addict, herself, who
used her connections to the drug underworld to supply product for her
friends. Her only payment was more cocaine for herself.

McDonald was given a two-year-less-a-day conditional jail sentence, which
allows her to remain free in the community.