> Police smash alleged cross country crime ring
>
> CanWest News Service
>
> Wednesday, November 29, 2006
>
> Police in Alberta believe they have smashed a major cross-country crime
> ring after arresting or issuing arrest warrants for at least 18 people
> for a host of drugs- and weapons-related offences.
>
> Operation KOKER saw RCMP in Alberta, British Columbia and Newfoundland
> work with the Edmonton and Calgary Police Services over a 23-month
> period, dating back to January 2005.
>
> On Tuesday, the police began swooping down on their targets, including
> two alleged members of the Edmonton Hell's Angels gang.
>
> Thirteen of 18 targets were arrested, and arrest warrants were issued
> for the remaining five people.
>
> Sixteen of the 18 accused were from Alberta, with one from Newfoundland
> and one from British Columbia.
>
> The 18 accused face a variety of charges relating to drug trafficking,
> proceeds of crime and organized crime-related offences.
>
> During the operation, police seized drugs, including at least 20
> kilograms of cocaine, six pounds of marijuana, and small quantities of
> methamphetamine, along with numerous firearms and other weapons.
>
> Police also seized at least $2 million worth of assets alleged to have
> been purchased through proceeds of crime, including cash, cars, trucks,
> motorcycles, recreational vehicles jewelry, and residential homes.
>
> Police relied on wire taps to intercept more than 58,000 private
> conversations between the accused before making the arrests.
>
> More than 80 police officers from several police forces took part in
> Operation KOKER.
>
> http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=95a67647-4911-4c5f-8204...
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Recycling pioneer, 64, charged in Alberta cocaine bust
> Last Updated: Thursday, November 30, 2006 | 3:22 PM MT
> CBC News
>
> Police say a businessman who founded one of Newfoundland and Labrador's
> first recycling companies played a key role in a drug operation based
> in Alberta.
>
> Charlie Flight, 64, appeared in provincial court in St. John's
> Wednesday and was then flown to Edmonton under police escort.
>
> Charlie Flight operated one of Newfoundland and Labrador's first
> recycling companies.
> (CBC) Flight faces four drug-related charges arising from a crackdown
> on trafficking in cocaine and other drugs by Edmonton-based RCMP. More
> than 50 drug-related charges have been laid against 18 individuals.
>
> On Thursday, RCMP said police had made four more arrests and only one
> of the 18 charged still remained at large.
>
> "We would have to say that Charles Flight played a significant role
> based on the nature of the charges that we're looking at," said RCMP
> spokesman Wayne Oakes.
>
> Police said Flight was first charged in Banff, Alta., a year ago on
> charges of possessing four kilograms of cocaine and 2.5 kilograms of
> marijuana.
>
> Those charges were withdrawn pending further investigation, but have
> been refiled as part of an RCMP investigation that also involves
> individuals in Alberta and British Columbia.
>
> Flight, a resident of Paradise, founded Nova Recycling in 1988. Before
> returning to Newfoundland and Labrador, Flight had been a mine manager
> in Fort McMurray.
>
> In 2003, Flight sold Nova Recycling to Scotia Recycling.
>
> Flight had also been involved in a failed attempt to recycle vehicle
> tires.
>
> http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2006/11/30/flight-drugs.html
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Eighteen Charged in Long Term Joint Force Operation
> Edmonton, Alberta (November 28, 2006)
>
> Over the course of a 23 month investigation, numerous search warrants
> have been executed and charges ultimately brought against 18
> individuals, including two members of the Edmonton chapter of the Hells
> Angels. The investigation was co-ordinated by the RCMP Edmonton Drug
> Section as a Joint Force Operation (JFO), a partnership involving the
> RCMP Edmonton Drug Section, Edmonton Police Service Gang Unit, and
> Edmonton Integrated Proceeds of Crime (IPOC) Section. The 23 month
> investigation targeted high-level drug trafficking and organized crime
> activities in the province of Alberta.
>
> On Tuesday, November 28, 2006, the RCMP Edmonton Drug Section, along
> with over 80 police officers from the RCMP (Alberta, British Columbia,
> and Newfoundland), Edmonton Police Service, and Calgary Police Service
> began making arrests as part of the Project "KOKER" investigation.
> Eighteen (18) people have been charged with a variety of offences
> associated to drug trafficking, proceeds of crime and organized crime
> related offences.
>
> Project "KOKER" was initiated in January of 2005 and focused on
> high level members of drug trafficking cells in the province of
> Alberta, including individuals associated with the Edmonton chapter of
> the Hells Angels. During the investigation, Police made numerous
> seizures that totaled approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine, 6 pounds
> of cannabis marihuana, a small quantity of methamphetamine, numerous
> firearms and prohibited weapons, and in excess of $2 Million dollars in
> assets that are alleged to be associated to one or more of the accused.
> The assets seized or restrained consist of cash monies, cars, trucks,
> motorcycles, recreational vehicles, jewellery, and residential homes
> along with other items. Arrest warrants were issued for eighteen
> individuals. One still remain at large.
>
> This long-term covert investigation involved the use of judicially
> authorized wiretaps to allow for the interception of private
> communications of numerous individuals throughout Canada. During the
> course of the investigation, Police intercepted over 58,000 private
> communications. The mandate of the Joint Force Operation was to disrupt
> and dismantle organized crime in the province of Alberta. Project
> "KOKER" was supported by the Criminal Intelligence Service of
> Alberta (CISA) who were a partner agency in this investigation.
>
> Throughout the course of the investigation, the "KOKER"
> investigative team regularly liaised with investigators from Fort
> McMurray, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Banff, and the Lower Mainland
> area of British Columbia, which allowed for a seamless investigation
> throughout various jurisdictions and the invaluable sharing of
> intelligence. The Project "KOKER" investigation would not have been
> possible if it was not for this collaborative effort amongst these
> numerous police agencies and investigators throughout the various
> jurisdictions.
>
> As a result of Project "KOKER", arrest warrants issued for the
> arrest of the following persons, for the following offences:
>
> Alan Peter KNAPCZYK (32 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Edmonton Hells Angel Member
> Edmonton, AB
> Charges:
> Trafficking in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
> Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
> Aiding the Commission of an Offence for a Criminal Organization
>
> John Reginald ALCANTARA (34 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Edmonton Hells Angel Member
> Edmonton, AB
> Charges:
> Trafficking in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
> Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine (X 2)
> Aiding the Commission of an Offence for a Criminal Organization
> Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (Proceeds)
> Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (Stolen Handgun)
> Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (False Identification)
> Possession of a Controlled Substance: Cannabis Marihuana
> Possess Restricted Firearm Without a license (Handgun)
> Possess a Prohibited Weapon (Tasers)
> Possess a Prohibited Weapon (Butterfly Knives)
>
> Jeffrey Mark CAINES (33 years) (Link to pic of suspect at bottom.)
> *** AT LARGE ***
> Fort McMurray, AB
> Charges:
> Trafficking in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
> Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
> Instructing the Commission of an offense for a Criminal Organization
> Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (Proceeds)
> Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking:
> Cocaine (X 5)
>
> John Norman CAINES (60 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Edmonton, AB
> Charges:
> Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
> Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (Proceeds)
> Unsafe Storage of a Firearm (X3)
>
> Vanessa CRAWFORD (21 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Edmonton, AB
> Charges:
> Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking:
> Cocaine
> Possession of a Controlled Substance: Cannabis Marihuana
>
> Sean David CRITCH (24 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Edmonton, AB
> Charges:
> Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
> Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking:
> Cocaine
> Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (Proceeds)
> Possession of a Controlled Substance: Cannabis Marihuana
>
> Holly Ann DYCK (30 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Edmonton, AB
> Charges:
> Trafficking in a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine
>
> Curtis James EBELTOFT (32 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Edmonton, AB
> Charges:
> Trafficking in a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine (X2)
>
> Derek Albert EZEKIEL (25 years) *** AT LARGE ***
> Edmonton, AB
> Charges:
> Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
>
> Charles Weston FLIGHT (64 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Paradise, Newfoundland
> Charges:
> Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
> Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking:
> Cocaine
> Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking:
> Cannabis Marihuana
> Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (Proceeds)
>
> Mark Andrew HOSKINS (24 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Calgary, AB
> Charges:
> Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
> Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (Proceeds)
>
> Ricco KING (34 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Calgary, AB
> Charges:
> Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
>
> Melissa Diane KING (29 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Calgary, AB
> Charges:
> Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (Proceeds)
>
> Nicholas James ROBERTS (23 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Edmonton, AB
> Charges:
> Trafficking in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
> Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking:
> Cocaine
>
> Kamran SATTAR (30 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Calgary, AB
> Charges:
> Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
>
> Farhan SATTAR ( 27 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Calgary, AB
> Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
>
> Nicholas Bela VAN DEN HURK (25 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Vancouver, BC
> Charges:
> Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
>
> Beau Michael YAKIMISHYN (24 years) *** ARRESTED ***
> Edmonton, AB
> Charges:
> Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
> Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking:
> Cocaine
> Trafficking in a Controlled Substance: Cocaine
>
> Investigators assigned to Project "KOKER" are continuing their
> investigations. Additional charges and arrests may be contemplated
> pending the findings of the on going investigational processes.
>
> Details relating to scheduled court appearances for those arrested will
> be addressed in a follow-up news release, once the information becomes
> available.
>
> - 30 -
>
> Media Contacts:
>
> Cpl. Wayne OAKES
> Media Relations Officer
> RCMP "K" Division
> (780) 412-5260
>
> Jeff WUITE
> Edmonton Police Service
> Media Relations
> (780) 421-2823
>
> http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ab/news/2006/Edmonton_KOKER1_Nov28-06_e.htm
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Wild Rose Conservative MP Myron Thompson who sits on the Commons
> Justice Committee is calling for the Hell's Angels
> to be classified a terrorist organization. HA is involved with
> extortion, homicide, kidnapping, prostitution, meth and cocaine
> dealing, rape, armed robbery and motorcycle theft and child pornography
> as well as phony currency and witness intimidation and obstruction of
> justice. They have been known to bribe and scare law enforcement
> officers and judges into doing their bidding. These ppl must be rooted
> out of the Cdn justice system. Two judges have actually done their job
> and declared HAMC a criminal org and the Victoria Times-Colonist is
> calling for it to be banned as a terrorist org.
>
> The White Rock chapter Sgt. Of Arms, Villy Roy Lynnerup, recently was
> arrested for trying to board an airplane at YVR
> with a loaded firearm. Was probably going to crash the plane into the
> Downtown courthouse or hold the passengers hostage in exchange for the
> release of Moms Boucher and all imprisoned full patch members. All the
> Hell's Angels, their supporters, associates etc. should be imprisoned,
> their children put in foster care and their assets seized.
>
> If you support Thompson let him know.
>
> Hill Office
> House of Commons
> Ottawa, Ontario
> K1A 0A6 (No postage required.)
>
> Telephone: (613) 996-5152
> Fax: (613) 947-4601
> EMail: Thompson.M@parl.gc.ca
> Web Site:* www.myronthompson.com/
> Constituency Offices
>
> 213 Main Street, Bay 3
> Airdrie, Alberta
> T4B 2B9
>
> Telephone: (403) 948-5103
> Fax: (403) 948-0879
>
> Also write letters to editors of local newspapers and your local MP.
>
> As well John Les the solicitor-general of BC has advocated banning the
> wearing of gang colours such as biker patches in bars. Since HA is
> known to frequent AuBar and the Cecil and has links to various bars in
> BC that would be an improvement. The gang has a history of intimidating
>
> bartenders, infiltrating unions involved in the bar industry, beating
> and killing strippers and beating customers to death at random for no
> reason. Contact your MLA as well as the local media and tell them you
> want this implemented sooner rather than later.
>
> VPD is appealing again for info about the homicide of Maria Yvette
> Monzon who was shot dead on the westside of Vancouver. She was killed
> by HA but the police have never stated that. There is a reward.
>
> Art Hanger the chair of the Justice Committee can be contacted at:
>
> Hill Office
>
> House of Commons
> Ottawa, Ontario
> K1A 0A6 (No postage required.)
>
> Telephone: (613) 947-4487
> Fax: (613) 947-4490
> EMail: Hanger.A@parl.gc.ca
> Web Site:* www.arthangermp.com/
> Preferred Language: English Constituency Offices
>
> 2635 - 37th Avenue NE, Suite 140
> Calgary, Alberta
> T1Y 5Z6
>
> Telephone: (403) 291-0018
> Fax: (403) 291-9516
>
> http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/cmte/CommitteeList.aspxLang=1&PARLSES=391&JNT=0&SELID=e18_&COM...
> has the contact list for the whole Justice Committee.