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RCMP arrest Rock Machine gang

By: Aldo Santin

Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013 at 8:27 PM

The RCMP seized pipe bombs, other explosives, weapons, several pounds of cocaine and marijuana, 1,800 pills of BZP, a synthetic ecstasy, boxes of cash, and Rock Machine hoodies, patches and other gang clothing. (HANDOUT / RCMP)

The entire chapter of the Manitoba Rock Machine motorcycle gang was swept up into police custody in an RCMP raid Wednesday.

Assistant Commissioner Kevin Brosseau, commanding officer of the Manitoba RCMP, said Wednesday's raids across Winnipeg was the culmination of an investigation that began in August.

"Today is a very good day for public safety in the province of Manitoba," Brosseau said.

In a show of police bravado, much of what the RCMP seized Wednesday was on display at its Manitoba headquarters on Portage Avenue: pipe bombs, other explosives, weapons, several pounds of cocaine and marijuana, 1,800 pills of BZP, a synthetic ecstasy, boxes of cash, and Rock Machine hoodies, patches and other gang clothing.

RCMP arrested 11 people in Wednesday's raid, including the enitre Rock Machine gang and several individuals identified as independent drug traffickers.

The RCMP raided a home early Wednesday morning in the 1400 block of Bannatyne Avenue, where several suspects were taken into custody. RCMP then raided a location in Wall Street, where one of the Rock Machine members worked.

Police said several explosive devices were found at the Wall Street location, which required the street to be closed for several hours and nearby businesses to be evacuated while a bomb disposal team dealt with the explosives.

Insp. Len Delpino said those arrested face a variety of drug and weapon charges, and that the investigation, known formally as Project Dilemma, is continuing.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca