DRUG FLOW SLOWED

RCMP Root Out Three Stony Employees, Street Gang Member

A drug pipeline at Stony Mountain Correctional Institution allegedly
involving a plumber, two kitchen workers and a Zig Zag gang member has been
cut off.

But Stonewall RCMP believe they've only temporarily stemmed the tide of
drugs flowing into the medium-security prison about 13 kilometres north of
Winnipeg.

"For every aspect of the drug ring that we put an end to, they will find
another way of getting it in," Sgt. Gerry Thomas told The Sun yesterday.
"Vigilance is the only way to curtail the drug trade inside the institution."

After a month-long joint investigation between the Correctional Service of
Canada and the RCMP, three prison employees and a street gang member with
ties to the Hells Angels have been fingered in the clandestine drug ring.

Robert Reed, a 48-year-old Matlock resident who has worked as a plumber and
plumber instructor at the penitentiary since June 1997, was arrested
Wednesday morning after Mounties seized 62 grams of marijuana and 238
diazapam (Valium) pills valued at $7,500. Reed has been suspended without
pay pending an internal investigation.

Possession

Charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking in marijuana and
diazapam, Reed was released on a promise to appear in Stonewall court April
Mounties believe the drugs were destined for an inmate who is a member of
the Zig Zag Crew -- the street gang that performs grunt work for Manitoba's
Hells Angels.

RCMP also executed a search warrant at the Winnipeg residence of a Zig Zag
associate, but only an "insignificant" amount of marijuana was seized.

Early yesterday morning, two casual food services workers were fired after
they were implicated in the smuggling ring through "additional reliable
information from the community," said Pam Gardiner, an acting assistant
warden at Stony Mountain. "The Correctional Service of Canada has no
tolerance for illegal drugs. Within the institution, drug use can result in
unpredictable behaviour that can result in violence, putting staff and
other inmates at risk."

Between 70% and 80% of federal offenders enter the prison system with
serious substance abuse problems directly related to their criminal
behaviour, Gardiner said.