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By Gerry Bellett, Vancouver Sun
gbellett@vancouversun.com
February 11, 2011

VANCOUVER - The crackdown on suspected predators that use violence and torture against drug addicted women in the Downtown Eastside has resulted in a further 11 arrests, Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu announced Friday.

This follows the arrest of eight males in late January by police in the first phase of Project Rescue, a special covert operation designed to target drug dealers terrorizing vulnerable women.

"It's part of our commitment to the community to make that neighbourhood a safer place," said Chu.

"I was not exaggerating when I told that we were targeting the worst of the worst," he said.

Chu spoke at a news conference at city hall.

In front of him stood two tables filled with weapons and contraband seized by police during the crackdown including a handgun, ammunition, replica rifles, a crossbow, knives, brassknuckles, body armour, a cosh, baseball bats, billyclubs, $50,000 in cash, and drugs including the date rape drug GHB.

"Imagine what it is like for women living — for what ever reason — in the Downtown Eastside. They are often there because of poverty, drug addiction, domestic violence. They are often alone, afraid and always vulnerable. And then they meet a predatory drug dealer who is too willing to give them drugs on credit and if they are late with their payments the nightmare begins," said Chu.

He recounted how one 55-year-old female victim who had no history with the police was kidnapped, held and beaten with a hammer.

"The suspects held her, robbed her and assaulted her under the guise she was some how responsible for the loss of some of their possessions," he said.

Chu said the drug dealers needed money to pay off their own drug debt and saw her as an easy victim. He said the woman has been moved out of the Downtown Eastside.

"These predators use torture and terror routinely. It's their way of doing business," said Chu.

The police released a picture of one of the suspects Martin Daniel Tremblay, 45, a resident of the Downtown Eastside and asked persons who had information on his activities to come forward.

Inspector Dean Robinson said called Tremblay's arrest "substantial".

"We don't usually tell you about a person's extensive criminal record or that we suspect their involvement in many unsolved crimes but this time is different," said Robinson.

He said the police were taking "extraordinary measures" to safeguard young aboriginal women in the Downtown Eastside because the dangers and risks to them were "so prevalent."

"Tremblay has been charged with four counts of trafficking cocaine and one charge of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and is currently in jail," said Robinson.

Robinson said Tremblay was a convicted sexual offender who in 2002 was found guilty of five counts of sexual assault during which he used alcohol and drugs to incapacitate his victims.

"We know the community is very concerned about this criminal. He is in jail now. We believe the only way we can guarantee he won't harm more women is if he stays in jail," he said.

Robinson appealed to other victims to come forward.

"He's in jail now and can't hurt you," he said.

Inspector Mike Porteous released details of another arrested suspect Fabian Brown, 37, who has been charged with extortion, sexual assault and break and enter, forcible confinement and assault by trespass.

He described Brown as allegedly using violence and intimidation in the area for over 10 years.

"He's been committing old fashioned strong arming, he taxes and extorts people and relies on his victims being too afraid to report it to police," said Porteous.

Asked if the police weren't concerned that by releasing such details they might be compromising the chances of obtaining convictions, Chu admitted the police were "taking a bit of a gamble" but said it was being done to ensure public safety in the Downtown Eastside and as a way to protect vulnerable victims.

He said a lot of people were afraid of the men arrested but police were hoping other victims would come forward now that they were in jail.

The following is a list of other persons charged:

- Elliott Booth, 28, of Vancouver, possession for the purposes of trafficking and on a Canada-wide warrant for fraud.

- Trish Cauchon, 29, of Vancouver, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, robbery, assault, extortion.

- Patrick Herbert, 41, Vancouver, trafficking in a controlled substance.

- Adam Hindle, 38, of Vancouver, robbery, extortion, assault with a weapon, possession of a prohibited weapon.

- Ricardo Lee, 35, of Vancouver, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, robbery, extortion.

- Randy Mooney, 27, of Vancouver, production of methamphetamine, possession for purpose of trafficking (four counts) and seven counts of weapons possession including a crossbow, brass knuckles, a nunchaku, and two prohibited weapons.

- Gregory Stephanian, 30, of Vancouver, extortion.

- Jorge Torres, 34, of Surrey, extortion (two counts), uttering threats (two counts).

- Brodie Young, 33, of Vancouver, possession for the purpose of trafficking (two counts) and possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes (two counts).

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