OFF THE WIRE
James Turner
winnipegsun.com
Initial police probe compromised by “a credible threat"
Hells Angel associate Billy Bowden walks into the funeral of Zig Zag Crew member Trevor Savoie in May 2002. He was arrested in Project Deplete this month. (Winnipeg Sun files)
http://www.winnipegsun.com/videos/1432320574001It began as a high-level police probe into the exploits of a feared biker gang making inroads into Manitoba’s criminal underworld.
But the results of a covert investigation into the Rock Machine — known internally as Project Drain — nearly went down the tubes after the safety of a paid civilian agent informing on the gang’s deeds was compromised by “a credible threat.”
Cops quietly shut down Project Drain in early November 2010 after more than two months of active work.
The agent took what was described as a “phase one” cash payout, declined witness protection, and stayed in Winnipeg.
Despite his allegedly making three “significant” drug buys over the life of Project Drain, police and the Crown elected to make no arrests.
But the cops’ efforts didn’t simply end there, according to documents obtained by the Winnipeg Sun on Wednesday.
Instead, the joint RCMP-Winnipeg police organized crime unit apparently widened their view and launched Project Deplete, described by top police brass last Friday as a $1-million drug and guns case netting the arrests of a number of alleged players in the provincial drug trade.
One suspect, David Thomas, 29, remains outstanding, wanted for weapons-trafficking, police say.
Police roused their dormant investigation last May and employed the same snitch again a few months later, looking to bust crime across “various criminal organizations.”
Wiretaps and covert surveillance loomed large in Project Deplete, details of which are salted throughout affidavits filed by police in support of obtaining arrest warrants in the case.
Those arrested so far have been brought to court on direct criminal indictments — meaning trials will be expedited and preliminary hearings will be bypassed.
Sources say the agent — who is not identified in the documents — was paid in the range of $500,000 for his co-operation.
His work on the initial, but scuttled, Project Drain investigation “proved his viability and capacity to work fluidly with his police handlers,” police say in an affidavit.
According to the documents, the agent arranged multiple deals to buy different drugs from a range of suspects — some of who have reputed gang connections and past involvement with the justice system. Others have no prior criminal records.
Among the 13 suspects now arrested are William ‘Billy’ Bowden, a former Hells Angel whom police allege is now a Rock Machine associate. He is accused of selling the agent cocaine over two separate transactions last fall.
Also suspected is Pardeep Kapoor, who police say told the agent he was a member of the Calgary-based Independent Soldiers gang.
Kapoor is accused of selling the agent cocaine and methamphetamine in two separate transactions in the first, scuttled, undercover project.
Police didn’t announce the arrest of John Kolodrupski, 31, who they suspect of trafficking marijuana and MDMA powder.
None of the allegations have been proven and those suspected are presumed innocent.
