Pubdate: Tue, 31 May 2005
Source: Daily Herald-Tribune, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Daily Herald-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/804
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers)

GANGS MOVING TO RURAL ALBERTA

And Grande Prairie's Got Its Share Of Players

A Criminal Intelligence Service (CIS) report issued this week has some dark 
news for law-abiding citizens of rural Alberta.

According to the report, increased pressure on gangs in Edmonton is forcing 
criminal organizations that deal drugs to expand into rural areas.

Some years ago, many Grande Prairie residents were shocked to learn that 
high-profile biker gangs such as the Hells Angels were active in our city 
and region.

A show of force and solidarity in the form of a 'run' to Grande Prairie 
several years ago emphasized that, and stories of the Angels' exploits, 
including real estate purchases, have been common here ever since.

The recent report looks more towards other gangs than the traditional 
leather-clad riders though.

Asian gangs get a special mention, as do aboriginal gangland organizations 
such as Redd Alert and the Indian Posse.

The report suggests that the market for the kinds of commodity these gangs 
deal in has essentially peaked or maxed out in Edmonton, and therefore 
gangs have refocused to set up shop in more rural locales for many reasons.

First, a little distance from major task force operations is always welcome 
to the gang members, but more importantly, there is a whole new crop of 
potential customers to service.

Many of these new clients also have -- due to Alberta's hot economy -- 
significant 'disposable' income.

Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray seem obvious choices for gangs looking to 
expand their horizons. They offer the kinds of populations that will likely 
hold the most clientele and though not nearly the size of Edmonton or 
Calgary, are big enough to generate millions in revenues.

McMurray has experienced an influx of organized crime groups linked to the 
growing drug trade, while Camrose has become a commuter destination for 
Edmonton-based gangsters.

Asian, native and motorcycle gangs are active in both cities, the report 
suggests.

The Indian Posse street gang has built drug networks on the Hobbema reserve 
and in Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie and through the Peace Country, the 
report also says.

The Posse, suggests the report, is losing ground to Redd Alert in the 
battle for the street drug trade.

The south has its problems too, as gangs seek to expand Calgary operations 
into places such as Brooks, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat, where a new 
street gang known only as The Kids has become active. Crack cocaine is 
their specialty.

All of this points to the fact that with the great opportunity in Alberta 
driven by economic well-being, the downside also comes along. As long as 
there are lots of people making lots of cash, the market for gang activity 
will always flourish.

Street gangs enjoy their own version of the Alberta advantage.

- - With files from CP 
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MAP posted-by: Beth