Pubdate: Fri, 04 Jun 2004
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 BC Newspaper Group and New Media Development
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author:  Glenda Luymes
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

'DIAL-A-DOPE' METHODS EXPOSED

After a year-long investigation that has so far resulted in 17 arrests, 
Langley RCMP say they have shut down a Lower Mainland "dial-a-dope" 
criminal organization known as "Dark Alley".

The "brazen" crime cell, which is allegedly responsible for moving and 
selling illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroine, methamphetamine and 
marijuana, advertised itself with sinister-looking business cards, said 
Cpl. Dale Carr at a press conference Wednesday morning. The black cards, 
some emblazoned with skulls, bear the name Dark Alley and a phone number.

Police believe the organization was run by a local "king pin" who had 
managers in a number of communities to ensure that drugs were only a phone 
call away, 24 hours per day.

"Consumers ranged from youth right up to adults," said Carr, adding that 
parents might be surprised to recognize the Dark Alley cards, some of which 
were distributed in nightclubs.

Eric Brendan Montgomery, 28, of Langley is thought to be the organization's 
leader, while John Wayne Newson of Langley, Melvin Rajaratnam of Richmond, 
David Nima Talaji of Richmond, Phillipe Powell Zopf of Port Coquitlam and 
Margit Ruta Mikelsons of Abbotsford are alleged managers.

More than thirty charges have been approved against these six people - 
ranging from trafficking in a controlled substance to production and 
possession.

Police expect to make more arrests and lay more charges in the days to come.

In a garage off the Langley RCMP detachment, police met with media to 
display the evidence collected from the execution of six search warrants 
throughout the Lower Mainland.

At least three guns, ammunition, marijuana in blue zip-lock bags, blocks of 
cocaine, methamphetamine and numerous DVDs were scattered across three 
folding tables.

A bright blue Yamaha ATV with matching helmet was parked on one side of the 
exhibit, while a Craftsman lawnmower, its two front tires flat, sat on the 
other.

The air reeked of marijuana.

Reporters listened quietly as Carr explained "what we did in the past year."

In May of 2003, the Langley RCMP drug unit began a street-level drug 
trafficking investigation. Soon after, they refocused and decided to go 
"right to the top."

With the assistance of police in a variety of Lower Mainland cities, 
including Abbotsford, Surrey and White Rock, the local force gathered 
enough information to execute six warrants.

Inside the houses were the almost-typical assortment of drugs, stolen 
property, cash and weapons.

It appears stolen merchandise was taken in trade for drugs, explained Carr.

"This is big business and it needs to be protected," the police officer 
continued, gesturing toward an assault rifle and ammunition.

To drive the point home, he held up a standard police 15-round gun clip and 
compared it to a long, black 40-round magazine that was not compatible with 
any of the guns collected.

"We didn't recover that gun," Carr said.

The investigation wrapped up on May 28.

When asked if the bust will make a difference in the fight against drugs - 
especially in light of Dark Alley's blatant advertising - Carr responded 
with optimism.

"We can't throw our hands up," he said, adding that police hope to send a 
message to traffickers.

"We're not going to tolerate it," he concluded.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager