"We're playing whack-a-mole all the time with organized crime."

Winnipeg's police chief is warning politicians about organized crime in the city as the local Hells Angels chapter reorganizes its ranks. Jack Ewatski told councillors on the city's protection committee that organized crime gangs have no problems filling their ranks because drug trafficking is lucrative.

"It's like when you go to the Red River Ex and you play that whack-a-mole game. You know, you hit one over the head, another one pops up somewhere else. I can't be more blunt than that," Ewatski told the committee, which overseas the police department's budget. "We're playing whack-a-mole all the time with organized crime." Outside the meeting, Ewatski called the fight against organized crime a continuing battle his officers face. "Once we create a gap, it's filled," he said.

Lorne Schinkel, president of the Winnipeg officer's union, agreed. "I applaud the chief for finally saying we're playing whack-a-mole with organized crime. The city council needs to know what the hell is going on with crime in our city," said Schinkel.

With the arrests of three local Hells Angels and three Bandidos in the past year, organized crime groups in Winnipeg have suffered some blows in the past year or so. Outside yesterday's meeting, Ewatski said it would be "naive" to think these gangs have been shut down.

While the ex-president of the local Hells Angels chapter, Ernie Dew, is jailed awaiting trial on cocaine trafficking charges, the biker club has a new leader. Sources say the new top boss, Dale Donovan, took over the club earlier this winter. Dew was arrested during Project Defence, an undercover sting that tackled cocaine trafficking in Winnipeg, culminating with the arrests of 13 people in February 2006.

Later that year, police arrested three alleged members of the local Bandidos chapter in connection with the Ontario killings of eight bikers and their associates. Among those arrested was Michael Sandham, an ex-cop turned local Bandidos chapter president.

Winnipeg Sun March 6, 2007