Violent Red Scorpion gang busted in Victoria

Eight alleged members of a notorious Vancouver-based drug gang have been arrested in Victoria for allegedly trying to establish a dial-a-dope operation dealing in crack cocaine.

Victoria police Const. Colin Brown said an undercover operation started last month after officers on the beat noticed a new, aggressive and violent group of drug traffickers downtown.

"Members of this group actually gave out free crack cocaine and a phone number, saying 'Please call us if you want us to sell you cocaine.'That was the level they were trying to establish themselves here very aggressive," said Brown.

Victoria's emergency response team swooped down on the gang last week, and raided one vehicle and one home in Saanich where they found a sawed-off shotgun, $1,000worth of cocaine and $3,000in cash.

Seven people, including one woman, remain in custody. One person has been released, and three others are being sought, with drugs and weapons charges pending against 11 people in total, saidBrown, addingmost of the accused are teenagers.

"Our belief is that group came over to Victoria and started to recruit people who lived in Victoria," said Brown, adding the arrests put a major dent in an attempt by the Vancouver-based gang to dominate the Victoria drug-trafficking scene.

The Scorpions were allegedly formed eight years ago at a Vancouver-area young offenders' facility, when a group of incarcerated youths decided to start a gang to work in the illegal drug trade.

Police say members of the Red Scorpions believe race is secondary to loyalty and respect, and they cultivate a reputation of showing no mercy to their enemies.

Members sport a distinctive "RS" tattoo on their wrist, neck or shoulders, police said.