Pubdate: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON) Copyright: 2000 The Ottawa Citizen Contact: 1101 Baxter Rd.,Ottawa, Ontario, K2C 3M4 Fax: 613-596-8522 Website: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/ Author: Don Campbell DRUG BUSTS A RISKY AFFAIR 'Biggest Operation' in Force's History Sees 70 Arrests Police yesterday were celebrating the apparent dismantling of one of the region's most prolific supply chains for cocaine and other drugs after a high-risk operation that saw 70 people arrested. Police called the operation the largest and most successful undercover drug investigation in the Ottawa-Carleton force's history. "I have been involved as a police officer 20 years with this force and I believe this was the biggest operation we have ever been involved in," said Supt. Knowlton Roberts of the force's criminal investigation section. "The police work was outstanding." Dubbed Project CAPE, the 16-month undercover investigation culminated Thursday with a flurry of pre-dawn raids. Some 170 officers, including heavily armed tactical units, began assembling about 2 a.m. and before 5 a.m. officers had fanned across the region to round up the principals in the alleged crime network. "We were able to work up the chain and we managed to take out some of the top people ? and also move into Hamilton and Montreal," said RCMP Insp. Garry Clement. "I'm satisfied we reached a satisfactory level." Police said the execution of almost 50 warrants went off virtually without incident and officers worked round-the-clock to process those arrested and what they seized. "The work that went on with this operation was remarkable," said Supt. Roberts "Just the danger the undercover officers put themselves in by making drug purchases. "Looking at the weapons we seized, this was very high-risk police work. I can't imagine the consequences if our people had been found out." Yesterday, police showed off just a cross-section of the loot they collected, which included $600,000 worth of marijuana, cocaine and crack cocaine, $100,000 in cash, another $100,000 in stolen property and 27 firearms, including several high-powered assault weapons. Police also seized property through the proceeds of crime legislation, under which police can seize any assets purchased with money earned from crime. The property included at least one luxury home, several vehicles, a motorcycle, boats, artwork and household furnishings that police have yet to value. Also prominently displayed was paraphernalia including bracelets, vests and jackets sporting the colours, or symbols, of the Outlaws motorcycle gang. Police believe the Outlaws and other gangs in the area have ties to the crime ring. The investigation began early in 1999 when the Ottawa-Carleton police, the OPP and the RCMP agreed to set up a large-scale operation targeting criminal organizations that had been operating with what police called "perceived immunity." Yesterday, Supt. Roberts and Insp. Clement put red dots on a map of the region to show the approximate locations where search and arrest warrants were executed. They included locations in Dunrobin, Constance Bay, Carp, Ottawa's west end, Nepean, Centretown and Navan. "The message is clear," said Insp. Clement. "We and our partners had launched war on the drug trade." Police released the names of 22 people arrested in the sweep, while some of the others who were arrested continue to be processed. Many made court appearances yesterday. Among those arrested is Ronald Trempe, a Kanata family man with alleged business connections to area motorcycle gangs. Police raided Mr. Trempe's upscale Kanata home and seized two vehicles, Mr. Trempe's personal Harley-Davidson motorcycle and unspecified household furnishings and cash. They also froze some of Mr. Trempe's other assets while the RCMP's integrated proceeds of crime section continues to work on the file. "Very few of these people are not known to police," said Supt. Roberts. "Through the proceeds of crime legislation, we feel our seizures will make it difficult for these people to re-establish themselves easily." Those arrested and charged in Project CAPE include: Ronald Trempe, Kanata Thomas Parson, Nepean Kevin Margison, Ottawa Connie Potsma, Ottawa Steven Hollenkamp, Nepean Derek Mosley, Constance Bay Wayne Hynes, Ramsay Township Joseph Cianci, Ottawa Robert Pendrith, Ottawa Graham Thomas, Kanata Roke Vaillant, Constance Bay Curtis Wilson, Pakenham Michael Richards, Pakenham Robert Pilon, Kemptville Jacques Drouin, Orleans Sammy Re, Montreal Richard Clarke, Lasalle Brent Scarisbrick, Hamilton Brian Carr, Carp Douglas Stowe, Kanata Kevin Abbott, Ottawa Randy Abbott, Ottawa - --- MAP posted-by: John Chase