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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Project Drill
They read like a thrilling crime novel - but the 500 pages of "Project Drill" search warrants which have occupied much of my week so far are based entirely on fact, not fiction.The documents - released publicly on Monday - disclose the inner workings of a major gang and drug distribution network across Manitoba and Western Canada.Besides detailing major drug buys and sordid murder plots, there are several other interesting revelations about the criminal lifestyle, including:Bikers love their Double-Doubles — Tim Hortons was clearly the favourite choice to meet and discuss business, according to video surveillance conducted by police. The favourite locale is the Timmy’s on North Main.Bikers love Facebook — Police listened in as bikers plotting the murders of two men distributed photos of them, and their associates, which they had retrieved online.Plane goes down, business picks up — A June 2007 small plane crash in West Hawk Lake that claimed the life of two high-flying Manitoba drug associates apparently opened the door for others to pick up new customers.Majority rules — Some gangs require at least four people for a quorum to vote on any issue, including whether to have someone killed. Police learned this during an intercepted call in December 2006. Only three full-patch Hells Angels members were present as they discussed the fate of a rival, so they called up a fourth — who happened to be working on his snow-clearing job — and had him swing by a local hotel room on his coffee break so they could have a vote.Drug dealers pay “taxes”— About $1,000 per month is paid to the upper echelons of the Hells Angels and other gangs for the right to sell drugs in a certain community, such as Thompson.Provincial expansion — The Hells Angels spoke often of setting up a second Manitoba chapter, likely based in Thompson, and of creating a Manitoba Nomads bike gang, especially Portage and Dauphin.Learn the lingo — Among the more popular expressions police overheard were “going racing” — doing drug deals — and “playing hockey,” which is an apparent reference to committing violence.I've barely scratched the surface with these, but trust me when I say we will be hearing about "Project Drill" for months to come.The final chapters have yet to be written on this incredible story.www.mikeoncrime.com
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About Mike McIntyre
Journalist, national radio show host, author, pundit and cruise director ... Mike McIntyre loves to keep busy.
Mike is the justice reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press, where he has worked since 1997. He produces and hosts the weekly talk radio show Crime and Punishment, which runs on the Corus Radio Network in several Canadian cities.
Born and bred in Winnipeg, Mike graduated from River East Collegiate and completed his journalism studies in the Creative Communications program at Red River College.
He and his wife, Chassity, have two children.
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