'DIAL-A-DEALER' DISCONNECTED

Police Believe They've Busted Up Violent Drug Ring

City police believe they've broken up a violent drug ring that was behind
several drive-by shootings in the past few weeks as it tried to protect its
highly lucrative "dial-a-dealer" drug network from rival gangs.

In arresting nine people allegedly connected to the drug ring -- and
seizing three city cabs used to ferry narcotics, mostly cocaine -- police
said they hope they have put the gang out of business and lessened the risk
there will be further gang shootings.

"The violence was the initiating factor behind our investigation," said
Insp. Blair McCorrister, head of the Winnipeg police Criminal Investigation
Bureau. "That, coupled with the drug trafficking."

Sources say the dial-a-dealer drug ring is the Hells Angels' largest
competitor, and the two rivals have been at war with each other for almost
two years over the drug market.

Sources say the bikers wanted to take over the Asian-based dial-a-dealer
business, but the drug ring put up a spirited defence to preserve its turf
and the huge amount of money it was earning -- estimated by police to be in
the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Dial-a-dealers carry cell phones and pagers and can deliver drugs to a
caller's doorstep. Police spokesperson Const. Leanne Ainley said the
investigation against the dial-a-dealers started six months ago. Monday
night's arrests involved about 30 officers from the street gang and drug
units, along with investigators from the major crime unit and plainclothes
units around the city.

City police uncovered another dial-a-dealer operation last May. Based in
the north end, it was run by a 55-year-old woman who called herself "Mama
Bear." She is still in custody awaiting trial.

Police have charged the following people in connection to the dial-a-dealer
drug ring:

Kenny Lee Ens, 18, faces two counts of trafficking cocaine and conspiracy
to commit an indictable offence.

Julius Ajanthan Fernando, 26, has been charged with trafficking a
controlled substance.

Cheyenne Harvey, 18, faces two counts of trafficking cocaine and conspiracy
to commit an indictable offence.

Tahsin Adel, 20, faces two counts of trafficking cocaine and conspiracy to
commit an indictable offence.

Neeraj Arora, 20, has been charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable
offence.

Jared Michael Prevost, 21, faces three counts of trafficking cocaine and
conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

Iboro Sampson, 28, has been charged with trafficking cocaine.

A 17-year-old male has been charged with theft and possession of a
prohibited weapon.

An 18-year-old man has been charged with a number of firearm-related
offences, mischief, and endangering life in connection with a shooting
outside a city nightclub. Investigators are still looking for eight other
people.