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 - --- MAP posted-by: Beth