COPS PUT BRAKES ON DIAL-A-DEALER COKE RING

Two Winnipeg cabbies have been accused of transporting more than just
passengers.

Police arrested 10 people -- including a pair of taxicab drivers --
yesterday morning after a six-month investigation into a major
dial-a-dealer cocaine ring.

The bust involved the seizure of three taxicabs believed to have been used
to deliver the coke, but police refused to identify the companies.

"It doesn't really matter which company it is ... because the taxicabs are
all individually owned," Winnipeg police spokeswoman Const. Leanne Ainley said.

About 30 officers from the street gang unit, vice division, major crimes
unit and several district stations across the city rounded up nine suspects
in a six-hour sweep yesterday morning, Ainley said.

A 16-year-old girl was arrested later.

Cops were still searching for seven other people at press time last night.

"It is quite a large ring and quite organized," Ainley said. "We got quite
a few of the major players and this should put quite a dent in their
illegal activity."

Police believe the suspects are linked to local street gangs.

In fact, several arrests resulted from investigations into a rash of recent
drive-by shootings, including a July 6 incident outside Simon's Niteclub
where a masked gunman fired a shotgun blast into a crowded parking lot,
wounding three people.

"Certainly it (the dial-a-dealer ring) is related to gang activity," Ainley
said. "There's been no direct link to the Hells Angels at this time."

Also seized in the bust was a loaded sawed-off shotgun.

The dial-a-dealer drug business works much like ordering a pizza, police say.

Drug users can get a quick fix by simply calling a dealer's cell phone. The
order is then promptly delivered.

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