1 00:00:01,520 --> 00:00:05,120 The following programme contains strong language, strong violence, 2 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 3 00:00:05,160 --> 00:00:07,840 and adult themes from the start. 4 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 5 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:19,920 Ten songs in a row and a better mix of music 6 00:00:19,960 --> 00:00:22,400 on the official radio station of summer. 7 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:24,000 C'etait Soul II Soul, Keep on Moving, en souvenir de CKMF. 8 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:25,600 C'etait Soul II Soul, Keep on Moving, en souvenir de CKMF. 9 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:28,240 It is 24 degrees in Montreal. 10 00:00:28,280 --> 00:00:31,600 I'm John Moore and this is a 980 Hits information update. 11 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:32,000 Twist and Shout from the Beatles, 97.7 FM in Montreal, Good Morning! 12 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:35,760 Twist and Shout from the Beatles, 97.7 FM in Montreal, Good Morning! 13 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:37,040 What a morning! 14 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:01,880 Sidney Leithman died early this morning 15 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:04,000 in his luxury imported convertible on his way to a health club 16 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:05,160 in his luxury imported convertible on his way to a health club 17 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:07,480 in this middle-class Montreal suburb. 18 00:01:07,520 --> 00:01:11,080 Police believe an accomplice in another car blocked Leithman's path 19 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:12,000 while the assassin, a professional, 20 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:12,760 while the assassin, a professional, 21 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:15,800 carefully fired six bullets into the sitting target. 22 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:20,000 Sidney Leithman was the most successful criminal lawyer 23 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:20,160 Sidney Leithman was the most successful criminal lawyer 24 00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:21,560 in the city. 25 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:24,120 He was really at the top of his game. 26 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:28,000 He loved what he did. He loved to perform in court. 27 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:29,000 He loved what he did. He loved to perform in court. 28 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:32,120 I'd rather be pleading, than waiting for a verdict. 29 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:35,400 Defence lawyers tended to stick to one mob. 30 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:36,000 He represented the Mafia, 31 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:37,760 He represented the Mafia, 32 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:41,120 the Columbians. And he had the West End Gang. 33 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:44,000 All of these organised crime groups battled to control 34 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:44,560 All of these organised crime groups battled to control 35 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:47,040 the cocaine industry in Montreal. 36 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:48,880 By then, we should have, hopefully, 37 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:52,000 some idea of the nature of the proof, if any. 38 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:52,280 some idea of the nature of the proof, if any. 39 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:56,600 The killing of Sidney Leithman was not just the death 40 00:01:56,640 --> 00:01:59,960 of Sidney Leithman, it gave life to a whole new story. 41 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:04,600 When the police start going through Sidney's clothing, 42 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:08,000 in one of his pockets they find a hand-written phone number. 43 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:08,040 in one of his pockets they find a hand-written phone number. 44 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:14,120 That phone number was the key that opened the door to the power 45 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:16,000 of the drug trade and the massive corruption that it had created. 46 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:17,760 of the drug trade and the massive corruption that it had created. 47 00:03:14,800 --> 00:03:19,720 Montreal is a very sexy, appealing, seductive city. 48 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:20,000 It became perhaps the most criminal city in North America. 49 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:24,520 It became perhaps the most criminal city in North America. 50 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:33,080 A lot of us became acquainted with the criminal element, 51 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:36,000 the criminal character of Montreal at a very early age. 52 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:37,160 the criminal character of Montreal at a very early age. 53 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:43,680 You're a kid and you're going to the candy store 54 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:44,000 and up there is Allo Police, a weekly crime tabloid. 55 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:48,040 and up there is Allo Police, a weekly crime tabloid. 56 00:03:49,120 --> 00:03:51,920 What other city has a weekly crime tabloid? 57 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:52,000 Well, in fact, Montreal had two weekly crime tabloids! 58 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:55,160 Well, in fact, Montreal had two weekly crime tabloids! 59 00:03:56,160 --> 00:04:00,000 And in Montreal, criminals can be heroes. 60 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:00,080 And in Montreal, criminals can be heroes. 61 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:05,120 When I was a kid, my father was a city columnist for 62 00:04:05,160 --> 00:04:08,000 The Montreal Star and he covered the waterfront. 63 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:08,360 The Montreal Star and he covered the waterfront. 64 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:13,040 I remember one time he had a desk at home and there were all these 65 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:15,280 mugshots of the West End Gang. 66 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:19,560 So I was fascinated by these mugshots. 67 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:27,200 The West End Gang was legendary. 68 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:32,000 Dunie Ryan was a very, very, very sharp criminal operator. 69 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:32,880 Dunie Ryan was a very, very, very sharp criminal operator. 70 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:36,560 Very intelligent guy. He's at the top. 71 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:39,880 Allan Ross was Dunie Ryan's right hand man. 72 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:40,000 He was considered a nasty piece of work. 73 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:43,200 He was considered a nasty piece of work. 74 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:46,880 Gerry Matticks was like a toll booth through the Port. 75 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:48,000 He could get your big shipment of cocaine through 76 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:49,280 He could get your big shipment of cocaine through 77 00:04:49,320 --> 00:04:51,120 but that came with a price. 78 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:56,000 The West End Gang is great because it's actually not a gang, 79 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:57,080 The West End Gang is great because it's actually not a gang, 80 00:04:57,120 --> 00:04:59,800 it's a network of people. It's very flexible. 81 00:04:59,840 --> 00:05:02,840 You also don't give the police a structure to look at. 82 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:09,120 ...26 tonnes found at the port of Montreal. 83 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:12,000 On board 200 million dollars of pure cocaine. 84 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:12,640 On board 200 million dollars of pure cocaine. 85 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:17,800 The West End Gang was an extraordinary surprise to us. 86 00:05:17,840 --> 00:05:20,000 You've got small time hoods that rose up and had the initiative 87 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:21,680 You've got small time hoods that rose up and had the initiative 88 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:25,400 to go down and meet personally with Colombian Cartel guys 89 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:28,000 - that's ambition, that's gutsy too. 90 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:28,680 - that's ambition, that's gutsy too. 91 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:30,400 Those are dangerous people. 92 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:34,840 They became an organisation with global power, 93 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:36,000 an organisation that imports tons and tons of cocaine 94 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,440 an organisation that imports tons and tons of cocaine 95 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:41,080 into the United States and into Canada. 96 00:05:43,120 --> 00:05:44,000 Montreal had pretty solid divides with its various gangs. 97 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:48,280 Montreal had pretty solid divides with its various gangs. 98 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:51,520 On the East end, you would have the French Canadian Gangs. 99 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:55,440 In the North End you had the Italian Mafia. 100 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:59,480 And in the West, you had the West End Gang - 101 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:00,000 the Irish neighbourhood gangsters. 102 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,280 the Irish neighbourhood gangsters. 103 00:06:10,840 --> 00:06:13,440 When I was a kid, the West End neighbourhood was a perfect 104 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:16,000 breeding ground for that gang to rise up there. 105 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:16,080 breeding ground for that gang to rise up there. 106 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:21,880 Everybody knew someone, a family member, a close friend, 107 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:24,000 who was in some way absolutely connected to the West End Gang. 108 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:25,320 who was in some way absolutely connected to the West End Gang. 109 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:29,960 When my dad was in his early 30s he went into the police department, 110 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:32,000 but then he saw a side that he didn't like, 111 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:32,080 but then he saw a side that he didn't like, 112 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:34,920 that he realised they weren't necessarily the good guys. 113 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:36,600 And the gangs were the bad guys. 114 00:06:36,640 --> 00:06:39,280 So he was disillusioned and he eventually left. 115 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:45,200 Later on as a kid, I heard him being referred to as "the enforcer" 116 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:47,920 and I asked my mother about it and said "Mom, what does that mean?" 117 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:48,000 and she just pretended she didn't hear me 118 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:49,720 and she just pretended she didn't hear me 119 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:51,720 and never did answer the question. 120 00:06:56,040 --> 00:07:00,240 The members of the West End Gang, they grew up poor. All of them. 121 00:07:03,560 --> 00:07:04,000 And it was a hardscrabble life. 122 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:05,960 And it was a hardscrabble life. 123 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:10,040 They were tough, Irish, working-class kids 124 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:12,000 who grew up with similar backgrounds 125 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:12,120 who grew up with similar backgrounds 126 00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:15,040 and that made them very tough criminals. 127 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:24,240 How old were you when you robbed your first bank? 128 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:26,920 Fourteen. 129 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:28,000 Fourteen? Yeah. 130 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:28,520 Fourteen? Yeah. 131 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:32,040 Pulling out the gun, jumping up on the counter 132 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:35,480 doing like they do in the movies, you know, 133 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:36,000 and wanting the money and they could see it. 134 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:38,040 and wanting the money and they could see it. 135 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:42,000 Welcome to Montreal! 136 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:44,000 It's just another normal day in the bank robbery capital 137 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:45,000 It's just another normal day in the bank robbery capital 138 00:07:45,040 --> 00:07:46,240 of North America. 139 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:50,760 The West End Gang had the best safe crackers, 140 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:52,000 had the best armed robbery guys. 141 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:52,960 had the best armed robbery guys. 142 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:56,800 This is one of about 800 bank holdups in the city every year. 143 00:07:56,840 --> 00:07:59,880 Montreal has more of these little scenes than any other city 144 00:07:59,920 --> 00:08:00,000 on this continent, 145 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:01,000 on this continent, 146 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:03,400 more than Chicago, more than Los Angeles, 147 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:05,200 more even than New York. 148 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:07,760 They got all the bases covered. 149 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:08,000 They got locksmiths, they got communications guys 150 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:11,000 They got locksmiths, they got communications guys 151 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:16,000 and electricians and truck drivers, inside guys to do a job. 152 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:16,800 and electricians and truck drivers, inside guys to do a job. 153 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:23,880 Bank robberies in the sixties and seventies, 154 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:24,000 it was like going to bingo. It was super popular. 155 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:26,880 it was like going to bingo. It was super popular. 156 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:29,320 It was an easy, quick way to get some money. 157 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:32,000 One of my uncles, "Uncle Richard" was a huge bank robber at the time 158 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:34,120 One of my uncles, "Uncle Richard" was a huge bank robber at the time 159 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:36,160 and was considered a handsome, 160 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:38,600 smiling guy because he was always very polite. 161 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:40,000 He used to say there is no point in scaring them. 162 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:40,720 He used to say there is no point in scaring them. 163 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:42,640 He would be very polite about it. 164 00:08:42,680 --> 00:08:46,040 Wells Fargo guards with revolvers drawn stood guard outside 165 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:47,320 the Sun life building. 166 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:48,000 According to the Police, 167 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:48,560 According to the Police, 168 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:51,760 at a quarter to 12 Wells Fargo men entered the building... 169 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:56,000 We used to rob a minimum of three banks a week, some twice. 170 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:57,560 We used to rob a minimum of three banks a week, some twice. 171 00:08:59,080 --> 00:09:00,960 That's how open they were. 172 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:04,000 Everybody was robbing banks, it was in and out, 173 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:04,520 Everybody was robbing banks, it was in and out, 174 00:09:04,560 --> 00:09:06,760 it was quick, it was easy. 175 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:09,400 Like, one manager knew it was me again! 176 00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:12,000 Back in those days, things were really, really happening 177 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:14,680 Back in those days, things were really, really happening 178 00:09:14,720 --> 00:09:18,440 in Montreal. You say to yourself: "Imagine this happening today?" 179 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:20,000 It was a crazy, crazy time. Everybody was a bank robber. 180 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:22,240 It was a crazy, crazy time. Everybody was a bank robber. 181 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:27,240 Dunie Ryan was a kind of punk. 182 00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:28,000 By the time he was 19, 183 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:29,080 By the time he was 19, 184 00:09:29,120 --> 00:09:33,120 he had already been in juvenile detention homes a couple of times. 185 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:36,000 He was well immersed in that life. He was a thief. 186 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:36,840 He was well immersed in that life. He was a thief. 187 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:43,880 He was robbing jewellery stores. 188 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:44,000 If you opened at nine, they were there with a gun to your head 189 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:49,000 If you opened at nine, they were there with a gun to your head 190 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:52,000 to help you open up the store, you know, and take what you had. 191 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:52,600 to help you open up the store, you know, and take what you had. 192 00:09:56,600 --> 00:09:59,840 In his 20's he's involved in armed robberies. 193 00:09:59,880 --> 00:10:00,000 He goes on a trip to the U.S. with some guys 194 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,120 He goes on a trip to the U.S. with some guys 195 00:10:02,160 --> 00:10:05,480 and they are going to do a string of bank robberies 196 00:10:05,520 --> 00:10:06,680 and they get jacked. 197 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:08,000 They get caught in Lynn, Massachusetts, near Boston. 198 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:09,720 They get caught in Lynn, Massachusetts, near Boston. 199 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:16,000 He was in a penitentiary for five years in the U.S. 200 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:24,000 Now 30 years old, he comes back to Montreal 201 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,000 Now 30 years old, he comes back to Montreal 202 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:29,640 and that's when he forms what would be known as the West End Gang. 203 00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:47,400 In 1961, I was 22 years old 204 00:10:47,440 --> 00:10:48,000 and I decided to join the police force. 205 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,080 and I decided to join the police force. 206 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:55,880 You made yourself a reputation, you know, 207 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:56,000 and I was glad of my reputation. 208 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:57,800 and I was glad of my reputation. 209 00:10:57,840 --> 00:11:00,200 You know, don't fuck around with Savard. 210 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:04,000 Andre Savard - 211 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:06,200 Andre Savard - 212 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:09,760 top of the cop list in Montreal. 213 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:12,000 Would do anything to make an arrest within the boundaries of the law. 214 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:13,960 Would do anything to make an arrest within the boundaries of the law. 215 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:15,880 He took crap from no one. 216 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:20,000 My first job, standing guard at the Botanical Garden. 217 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:22,280 My first job, standing guard at the Botanical Garden. 218 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:26,560 You know, I'm armed with a gun and I'm a police officer 219 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:28,000 and don't step on the flowers, you know. 220 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:28,840 and don't step on the flowers, you know. 221 00:11:28,880 --> 00:11:32,360 If you do, well, who knows what's going to happen. 222 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:35,960 So I needed some action, some real police work. 223 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:44,000 The hold up squad was busier than at any other time, 224 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:44,560 The hold up squad was busier than at any other time, 225 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:47,120 because the capital of robbery was Montreal. 226 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:51,920 That started the whole thing with me working at the Holdup Squad. 227 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:00,000 The West End Gang were considered good 'bad guys' in the sense that 228 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:03,320 The West End Gang were considered good 'bad guys' in the sense that 229 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:07,840 initially they were not dealing drugs, they had not killed anybody. 230 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:15,520 There was a guy John Slawvey, that was part of the Gang. 231 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:19,880 They called him Big John, Big John Slawvey, 232 00:12:19,920 --> 00:12:23,520 because he weighed something like 240 pounds 233 00:12:23,560 --> 00:12:24,000 and he also was really mean. 234 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:27,080 and he also was really mean. 235 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:31,200 He hated cops with a vengeance. 236 00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:32,000 Dunie was close to Slawvey and he was a big guy. 237 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:34,920 Dunie was close to Slawvey and he was a big guy. 238 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:36,560 Dunie liked him a lot. 239 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:40,000 There was a cop that was doing traffic, he was in front of Simpsons 240 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:44,320 There was a cop that was doing traffic, he was in front of Simpsons 241 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:47,040 and he was writing a ticket 242 00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:48,000 and John Slawvey with two other guys came out of the Simpsons Building 243 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:52,600 and John Slawvey with two other guys came out of the Simpsons Building 244 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:55,040 because they just committed an armed robbery. 245 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:56,000 They could have left, 246 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:56,480 They could have left, 247 00:12:56,520 --> 00:12:58,920 the cop was writing a ticket - he wouldn't see this, 248 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:02,360 they were in the back of him. So he yelled at the cop, Slawvey, 249 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:04,000 so the cop turned around... 250 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:04,720 so the cop turned around... 251 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:12,000 ..almost cut him in half, you know, with a machine gun. 252 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:12,200 ..almost cut him in half, you know, with a machine gun. 253 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:19,160 It didn't take long for police to find out from their informants 254 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:20,000 that John Slawvey was the killer, 255 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:21,120 that John Slawvey was the killer, 256 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:24,000 but they didn't have enough evidence to arrest him. 257 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:28,000 Later on we heard about him, that he was glad at what he did, 258 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:28,800 Later on we heard about him, that he was glad at what he did, 259 00:13:28,840 --> 00:13:31,200 it was like a trophy for him. 260 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:34,520 He used to go shoot at some target and write" police" on top, 261 00:13:34,560 --> 00:13:36,000 you know, just shoot him. 262 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:36,160 you know, just shoot him. 263 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:52,000 For a long time, the West End Gang was just a bunch of guys 264 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:53,000 For a long time, the West End Gang was just a bunch of guys 265 00:13:53,040 --> 00:13:54,880 from the Irish neighbourhood. 266 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:00,000 It wasn't until they started killing people that they became a threat. 267 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:02,480 It wasn't until they started killing people that they became a threat. 268 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:05,400 They are frightening people. 269 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:08,000 They would kill you as soon as they looked at you. 270 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:09,400 They would kill you as soon as they looked at you. 271 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:10,760 They just don't care. 272 00:14:22,080 --> 00:14:24,000 The eyes of the world were all on Montreal in 1976 273 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:25,040 The eyes of the world were all on Montreal in 1976 274 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:27,400 because of the arrival of the Olympics. 275 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:32,000 Law and order suddenly became critical in presenting 276 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:34,840 Law and order suddenly became critical in presenting 277 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:37,360 a clean image to the world. 278 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:40,000 Unfortunately the reality basically whacked them in the face. 279 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:41,600 Unfortunately the reality basically whacked them in the face. 280 00:14:45,840 --> 00:14:48,000 It was a crime that stunned the Montreal police 281 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:49,280 It was a crime that stunned the Montreal police 282 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:51,080 because of its audacity. 283 00:14:56,840 --> 00:14:59,920 The Brinks truck arrived at the bank to pick up currency 284 00:14:59,960 --> 00:15:02,160 in all denominations. 285 00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:04,000 Gunmen in a white van backed up behind the truck, 286 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:05,160 Gunmen in a white van backed up behind the truck, 287 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:06,640 blocking the alley. 288 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:09,760 And when the door was flung open, the remaining guard faced this: 289 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:12,000 a 50 calibre anti-aircraft gun. 290 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:13,000 a 50 calibre anti-aircraft gun. 291 00:15:13,040 --> 00:15:15,680 The driver of the second vehicle got out and went to the door 292 00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:17,680 of the Brinks truck. 'Open the truck.' 293 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:20,000 Those were the only words said during the whole affair 294 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:20,520 Those were the only words said during the whole affair 295 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:22,880 and they were said in English. 296 00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:26,680 The gunmen escaped with the largest holdup haul in Quebec history: 297 00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:28,000 $2.8 million dollars. 298 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:28,560 $2.8 million dollars. 299 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,080 SAVARD: It was definitely the West End Gang. 300 00:15:34,120 --> 00:15:36,000 Because nobody else could be involved in such a robbery. 301 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:37,240 Because nobody else could be involved in such a robbery. 302 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:41,880 We knew that the Irish organised crime in Boston and Montreal 303 00:15:41,920 --> 00:15:43,080 are connected. 304 00:15:43,960 --> 00:15:44,000 Who is gonna be able to get a 50-calibre machine gun? 305 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:47,440 Who is gonna be able to get a 50-calibre machine gun? 306 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:49,880 But of course it comes from the States, you know, 307 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:52,000 and who's got those contacts? 308 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:52,240 and who's got those contacts? 309 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:55,760 Police say they know who is responsible, they just don't have 310 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:58,200 enough evidence to make the charges stick. 311 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:03,280 I went to see my boss, the inspector, at the time. 312 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:06,120 I asked him, "Why don't you let me do something." 313 00:16:06,160 --> 00:16:08,000 He told me "Yes you can do it, Andre, but be careful. 314 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:10,400 He told me "Yes you can do it, Andre, but be careful. 315 00:16:10,440 --> 00:16:14,760 Don't overdo it." I had a tendency of overdoing it. 316 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:16,000 "Don't be a Dirty Harry," that's what he was telling me. 317 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:17,840 "Don't be a Dirty Harry," that's what he was telling me. 318 00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:24,000 In order to shake the organised crime, 319 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:26,560 In order to shake the organised crime, 320 00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:32,000 the best way we could, legally, was to do some things that weren't done. 321 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:32,320 the best way we could, legally, was to do some things that weren't done. 322 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:35,680 You were stepping out of the rule book a little bit, you know. 323 00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:40,000 Police! Open the door. 324 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:40,480 Police! Open the door. 325 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:45,240 O'CONNOR: They went about rousting people they thought might be members 326 00:16:45,280 --> 00:16:46,880 of the West End Gang. 327 00:16:46,920 --> 00:16:48,000 Hands up police. Come on. Open up. 328 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:50,200 Hands up police. Come on. Open up. 329 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:56,000 Night after night after night, they would go to different places 330 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:56,120 Night after night after night, they would go to different places 331 00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:58,760 where they knew West End Gang members would hang out 332 00:16:58,800 --> 00:17:03,040 and they would find guns, they would find money 333 00:17:04,360 --> 00:17:07,680 but nothing directly connected to the Brinks robbery. 334 00:17:12,080 --> 00:17:13,960 We hit all these places. 335 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:17,960 Nittolo's, Peg's - every motel we hit them, you know. 336 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:20,000 We're bothering the West End Gang. 337 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:20,480 We're bothering the West End Gang. 338 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:27,040 Dunie Ryan did not take kindly to the fact that they were being rousted 339 00:17:27,080 --> 00:17:28,000 night after night by Andre Savard. 340 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:29,200 night after night by Andre Savard. 341 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:52,000 I'm patrolling near Motel Peg with one of my men, 342 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:52,120 I'm patrolling near Motel Peg with one of my men, 343 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:55,400 and that's what we did before we're going to hit some place. 344 00:17:56,520 --> 00:18:00,000 I was driving the car and passing Motel Peg's, we heard a loud bang. 345 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:02,400 I was driving the car and passing Motel Peg's, we heard a loud bang. 346 00:18:04,560 --> 00:18:07,680 I didn't know what it was, so I swung and hit the fence. 347 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:15,080 A couple of rifle bullets went through the back window 348 00:18:15,120 --> 00:18:16,000 of their unmarked car. 349 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:16,560 of their unmarked car. 350 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:22,240 Within a week or so Savard found out that Dunie's friend John Slawvey, 351 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:24,000 who was the cop killer, was going around boasting to the other guys 352 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:25,720 who was the cop killer, was going around boasting to the other guys 353 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:27,360 how he had shot at Savard 354 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:30,560 because of the problems he was causing the West End Gang. 355 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:36,800 I knew who the guy was so we went to arrest him - 356 00:18:36,840 --> 00:18:39,680 there was no way we were going to take any chances. 357 00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:45,840 And that's when they laid a trap to arrest Slawvey 358 00:18:45,880 --> 00:18:47,480 at his apartment building. 359 00:18:48,920 --> 00:18:51,160 I got two cops with me, young cops. 360 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:54,600 They were never involved in any shootings. 361 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:56,000 So they gonna be nervous, you know, especially a guy like that. 362 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:57,960 So they gonna be nervous, you know, especially a guy like that. 363 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:00,520 He killed a cop. He doesn't mind killing cops. 364 00:19:01,720 --> 00:19:04,000 So we waited in the garage till he got in, you know, 365 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:04,400 So we waited in the garage till he got in, you know, 366 00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:05,600 just like an old movie. 367 00:19:05,640 --> 00:19:07,320 You hear the car going in. 368 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:11,160 It takes a long time, you don't hear anything - what's going on, 369 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:12,000 you know? 370 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:12,400 you know? 371 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:16,680 And then we start hearing steps. 372 00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:20,000 The guy is walking, I can hear him. 373 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:20,840 The guy is walking, I can hear him. 374 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:26,440 So when he comes I yell at him "Police" and then he stops 375 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:28,000 and looks at me and he said: "I'm not armed, I'm not armed", 376 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:30,640 and looks at me and he said: "I'm not armed, I'm not armed", 377 00:19:30,680 --> 00:19:32,200 so I move forward, you know. 378 00:19:33,360 --> 00:19:36,000 Then all I can remember and I seen something shiny in his coat, 379 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:38,040 Then all I can remember and I seen something shiny in his coat, 380 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:41,200 right here and then he made a move. 381 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:44,000 Well I had to make a decision and it was a quick decision. 382 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:45,080 Well I had to make a decision and it was a quick decision. 383 00:19:45,120 --> 00:19:47,520 I don't know if it's a gun, you know. I shot him. 384 00:19:49,280 --> 00:19:52,000 And then I heard... 385 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:54,080 And then I heard... 386 00:19:54,120 --> 00:19:56,960 My two partners - they shot him, so he fell down. 387 00:20:02,120 --> 00:20:05,680 They put something like 27 bullets into John Slawvey. 388 00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:12,240 His girlfriend later said he was reaching for his cigarettes. 389 00:20:12,280 --> 00:20:14,520 That he didn't have a gun with him. 390 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:24,000 The investigation found that there was a gun lying beside Slawvey's body 391 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:24,160 The investigation found that there was a gun lying beside Slawvey's body 392 00:20:24,200 --> 00:20:28,200 but another cop told me "Of course there would be a gun there. 393 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:30,280 It probably was a throw away." 394 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:32,000 But I know it was, because I was there. 395 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,640 But I know it was, because I was there. 396 00:20:36,560 --> 00:20:40,000 There can be many different suspicions, you know, 397 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:40,560 There can be many different suspicions, you know, 398 00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:42,160 maybe you shouldn't have shot him, 399 00:20:42,200 --> 00:20:44,560 maybe a lot of things I shouldn't have done 400 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:47,320 but I didn't take a chance. 401 00:20:47,360 --> 00:20:48,000 I'm alive and he's dead. I did what I had to do. 402 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:50,360 I'm alive and he's dead. I did what I had to do. 403 00:20:50,400 --> 00:20:52,920 I would have been stupid to do anything otherwise because 404 00:20:52,960 --> 00:20:55,360 I would have been killed if not there somewhere else, 405 00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:56,000 maybe another cop would have been killed. 406 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:57,720 maybe another cop would have been killed. 407 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:00,800 I've got no regrets. 408 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:19,920 Dunie and Slawvey were great pals and people in the West End Gang were 409 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:20,000 really upset by the way he died, 410 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:24,280 really upset by the way he died, 411 00:21:24,320 --> 00:21:27,720 they felt he was murdered by Savard. That was a bad scene. 412 00:21:29,920 --> 00:21:34,280 Then there was a $50,000 contract put out on Savard's life. 413 00:21:36,880 --> 00:21:40,400 Dunie Ryan certainly wanted our heads. 414 00:21:40,440 --> 00:21:43,040 And Savard himself had to be protected. 415 00:21:48,840 --> 00:21:52,000 I had a .44 Magnum which Dirty Harry had. 416 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:53,080 I had a .44 Magnum which Dirty Harry had. 417 00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:57,160 I always put my .44 Magnum under the bed. 418 00:21:59,440 --> 00:22:00,000 We are not easy targets, you know. 419 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:01,480 We are not easy targets, you know. 420 00:22:02,640 --> 00:22:05,960 So we are not going to let ourselves get killed 421 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:07,760 without defending ourselves. 422 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:30,880 Montreal had Allo Police - a weekly crime tabloid. 423 00:22:32,480 --> 00:22:34,120 I was fascinated by it. 424 00:22:46,280 --> 00:22:48,000 The Head of the West End Gang. 425 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:48,120 The Head of the West End Gang. 426 00:22:50,360 --> 00:22:53,760 My father got me a job at The Montreal Gazette as a copy boy. 427 00:22:54,920 --> 00:22:56,000 As a journalist, I veered into crime 428 00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:57,960 As a journalist, I veered into crime 429 00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:00,520 and became an investigative crime reporter. 430 00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:04,000 I did a magazine story about Dunie Ryan. 431 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:04,920 I did a magazine story about Dunie Ryan. 432 00:23:06,920 --> 00:23:09,600 And this was a really interesting figure because what he was doing 433 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:11,240 was fairly sophisticated. 434 00:23:13,160 --> 00:23:17,320 That story was important to my career and it led to 435 00:23:17,360 --> 00:23:19,040 other stories unfolding. 436 00:23:20,360 --> 00:23:22,480 I have never seen these photos before. 437 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:28,000 It took a long time to find small pieces of information about Dunie. 438 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:32,720 It took a long time to find small pieces of information about Dunie. 439 00:23:32,760 --> 00:23:35,000 Because he was a very evasive criminal. 440 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:38,120 That's what he needed to be. 441 00:23:38,160 --> 00:23:41,840 That was part of what made him great at what he did. 442 00:23:56,400 --> 00:23:57,880 O'CONNOR: In the 1980's, 443 00:23:57,920 --> 00:24:00,000 the West End Gang was getting involved in more serious crimes 444 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:00,760 the West End Gang was getting involved in more serious crimes 445 00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:04,960 that just robbing a bank here and there. 446 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:08,000 Dunie Ryan realised the big money to be made was in drugs. 447 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:08,640 Dunie Ryan realised the big money to be made was in drugs. 448 00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:13,640 I think the secret of the West End Gang is that an opportunity 449 00:24:13,680 --> 00:24:15,360 came and they saw it. 450 00:24:16,880 --> 00:24:20,320 They are the right people at the right time in the right place 451 00:24:20,360 --> 00:24:22,640 and they realise this, and that was the key. 452 00:24:29,400 --> 00:24:32,000 In the 80's it was like everybody was suddenly selling 453 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:32,640 In the 80's it was like everybody was suddenly selling 454 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:34,480 and doing cocaine. 455 00:24:34,520 --> 00:24:36,600 There was, like, an explosion of it. 456 00:24:37,600 --> 00:24:40,000 Everybody loved coke. The dark side of cocaine hadn't kicked in yet. 457 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:42,200 Everybody loved coke. The dark side of cocaine hadn't kicked in yet. 458 00:24:48,400 --> 00:24:52,200 This very, very desired product was coming in containers 459 00:24:52,240 --> 00:24:55,760 and everyone had to get it through that Port and they had to ask 460 00:24:55,800 --> 00:24:56,000 permission from the West End Gang. 461 00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:57,720 permission from the West End Gang. 462 00:25:00,320 --> 00:25:03,080 REPORTER: 26 tonnes found at the port of Montreal. 463 00:25:03,120 --> 00:25:04,000 Quebec Police investigators determined it belonged to a group 464 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:06,400 Quebec Police investigators determined it belonged to a group 465 00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:09,800 of suspected drug traffickers known as the Matticks clan. 466 00:25:14,360 --> 00:25:18,120 Well, the Matticks family has been interesting every police department 467 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:20,000 ever since we're police officers. 468 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:20,400 ever since we're police officers. 469 00:25:22,320 --> 00:25:25,960 The Port of Montreal was controlled by the Irish Mob 470 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:28,000 and Gerald Matticks was in charge of hiring people. 471 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:29,240 and Gerald Matticks was in charge of hiring people. 472 00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:30,920 He was the lynchpin. 473 00:25:32,440 --> 00:25:36,000 Everyone knew Gerry Matticks and Dunie Ryan worked hand in hand together. 474 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:37,400 Everyone knew Gerry Matticks and Dunie Ryan worked hand in hand together. 475 00:25:39,480 --> 00:25:44,000 I've covered Hells Angels leaders in trials, I've covered Mafia leaders. 476 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:45,280 I've covered Hells Angels leaders in trials, I've covered Mafia leaders. 477 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:49,720 Gerry Matticks was different, Gerry Matticks had personality 478 00:25:49,760 --> 00:25:52,000 that I never saw in any of the other criminals that I have covered. 479 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:54,440 that I never saw in any of the other criminals that I have covered. 480 00:25:55,480 --> 00:25:58,960 He had a sense of humour. He had charisma. 481 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:00,000 There was something about him that made you smile even though 482 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:03,800 There was something about him that made you smile even though 483 00:26:03,840 --> 00:26:08,000 you knew that he could stick a shiv in your back as easily as not. 484 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:08,320 you knew that he could stick a shiv in your back as easily as not. 485 00:26:10,880 --> 00:26:14,120 What Matticks would later say is, on any given day I could just touch 486 00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:16,000 the side of my nose and a container that was up on a crane could go on 487 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:18,480 the side of my nose and a container that was up on a crane could go on 488 00:26:18,520 --> 00:26:22,440 the right truck that would get out of the Port without being inspected. 489 00:26:24,360 --> 00:26:27,560 The port of Montreal was the first choice for many drug traffickers 490 00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:30,600 because once it lands in Montreal, it's a real launching point 491 00:26:30,640 --> 00:26:32,000 to where you wanted to distribute your cocaine. 492 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:33,280 to where you wanted to distribute your cocaine. 493 00:26:34,480 --> 00:26:39,000 The open door to the importation of narcotics in Canada 494 00:26:39,040 --> 00:26:40,000 and in the United States. 495 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:40,840 and in the United States. 496 00:26:40,880 --> 00:26:43,320 It passes through Montreal to go to New York. 497 00:26:44,640 --> 00:26:48,000 Cocaine changed what were formally small gangs. 498 00:26:48,000 --> 00:26:48,760 Cocaine changed what were formally small gangs. 499 00:26:50,120 --> 00:26:53,600 And that's why the West End Gang suddenly came to light 500 00:26:53,640 --> 00:26:56,000 as a major player in the Montreal underworld. 501 00:26:56,000 --> 00:26:56,640 as a major player in the Montreal underworld. 502 00:26:59,160 --> 00:27:03,600 The battle amongst all of these organised crime groups to control 503 00:27:03,640 --> 00:27:04,000 the cocaine industry exploded into gangland slayings 504 00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:08,480 the cocaine industry exploded into gangland slayings 505 00:27:08,520 --> 00:27:12,000 and corruption seemed to creep into every aspect of the city. 506 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:12,760 and corruption seemed to creep into every aspect of the city. 507 00:27:14,920 --> 00:27:16,440 Montreal... 508 00:27:16,480 --> 00:27:19,680 These days a city of many coffins. 509 00:27:19,720 --> 00:27:20,000 By Victoria Day, a hundred murders in Quebec. 510 00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:22,240 By Victoria Day, a hundred murders in Quebec. 511 00:27:28,680 --> 00:27:32,280 Things got so bad that the government was forced to set up 512 00:27:32,320 --> 00:27:35,120 a public inquiry into organised crime 513 00:27:35,160 --> 00:27:36,000 and suddenly the ugliness just came to the surface. 514 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:39,000 and suddenly the ugliness just came to the surface. 515 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:42,640 It's a frightening picture of underworld operations 516 00:27:42,680 --> 00:27:43,920 and the operators. 517 00:27:44,880 --> 00:27:48,360 A nightly TV show in Quebec featuring a police inquiry 518 00:27:48,400 --> 00:27:50,760 and starring a host of lawyers and gangsters. 519 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:52,000 Underworld figures whose faces were barely known are becoming as 520 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:53,680 Underworld figures whose faces were barely known are becoming as 521 00:27:53,720 --> 00:27:55,880 familiar as the Montreal Canadiens. 522 00:27:55,920 --> 00:28:00,000 It was a big hit, you got a Crime Commission that's filming 523 00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:00,280 It was a big hit, you got a Crime Commission that's filming 524 00:28:00,320 --> 00:28:03,760 testimonies of gangsters. Yeah, it's a hell of a reality show. 525 00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:08,000 They hauled Dunie Ryan and Gerry Matticks 526 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:08,560 They hauled Dunie Ryan and Gerry Matticks 527 00:28:08,600 --> 00:28:10,600 in front of the Commission 528 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:14,840 but they see them as truck hijackers, bank robbers 529 00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:16,000 and money launderers. 530 00:28:16,000 --> 00:28:17,400 and money launderers. 531 00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:22,440 They miss the fact that they have now become the biggest drug dealers, 532 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:24,000 far out shining the Mafia and the French Canadian gangs. 533 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:26,760 far out shining the Mafia and the French Canadian gangs. 534 00:28:29,320 --> 00:28:31,760 When Dunie was called up to testify, 535 00:28:31,800 --> 00:28:32,000 he said, "I bury my money in the ground," and in fact he did. 536 00:28:32,000 --> 00:28:35,680 he said, "I bury my money in the ground," and in fact he did. 537 00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:45,560 So obviously they don't have enough evidence to charge him with anything. 538 00:28:47,200 --> 00:28:48,000 So they slip away into their own dark area without anybody 539 00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:51,920 So they slip away into their own dark area without anybody 540 00:28:51,960 --> 00:28:56,000 really understanding that the status of these gangs is now altered 541 00:28:56,000 --> 00:28:57,240 really understanding that the status of these gangs is now altered 542 00:28:57,280 --> 00:29:00,120 to a point where real power is with The West End Gang. 543 00:29:07,160 --> 00:29:11,880 The Italians and the biker gangs had been the main distributors of cocaine. 544 00:29:11,920 --> 00:29:12,000 These upstart Irish guys started muscling in on their territory. 545 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:17,720 These upstart Irish guys started muscling in on their territory. 546 00:29:17,760 --> 00:29:20,000 There were threats made for them to stay out of the business. 547 00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:20,440 There were threats made for them to stay out of the business. 548 00:29:20,480 --> 00:29:22,560 The Irish wouldn't take that lying down. 549 00:29:22,600 --> 00:29:25,280 They just continued to expand the business. 550 00:29:33,040 --> 00:29:36,000 This flood of cocaine poured into the Ports... 551 00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:36,400 This flood of cocaine poured into the Ports... 552 00:29:39,440 --> 00:29:42,600 ..a huge challenge for the RCMP because we are dealing with 553 00:29:42,640 --> 00:29:44,000 international drug smuggling of a serious drug 554 00:29:44,000 --> 00:29:46,120 international drug smuggling of a serious drug 555 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:49,560 that is bringing unbelievable amounts of money in 556 00:29:49,600 --> 00:29:51,400 and exiting out of the country. 557 00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:58,120 Half a ton of cocaine was introduced as evidence at the trial. 558 00:29:58,160 --> 00:30:00,000 500 kilos that came all the way from South America destined for 559 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:02,440 500 kilos that came all the way from South America destined for 560 00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:03,960 the New York market. 561 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:08,000 The cocaine never got there - the RCMP got their hands on it first. 562 00:30:08,000 --> 00:30:08,040 The cocaine never got there - the RCMP got their hands on it first. 563 00:30:09,680 --> 00:30:13,800 And the man who was at the head of this investigation 564 00:30:13,840 --> 00:30:15,680 was Claude Savoie. 565 00:30:15,720 --> 00:30:16,000 We all have different theories on things but until you see something. 566 00:30:16,000 --> 00:30:19,640 We all have different theories on things but until you see something. 567 00:30:19,680 --> 00:30:21,640 This proves that large quantities do come in - 568 00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:24,000 500 kilos, again, is the largest seizure ever made in Canada. 569 00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:25,480 500 kilos, again, is the largest seizure ever made in Canada. 570 00:30:25,520 --> 00:30:28,600 He was considered a good cop, a clean cop 571 00:30:28,640 --> 00:30:32,000 and he was respected by the people who worked for him. 572 00:30:32,000 --> 00:30:32,360 and he was respected by the people who worked for him. 573 00:30:32,400 --> 00:30:37,440 Everybody liked him, good guy, backed you up, all the rest of it. 574 00:30:39,160 --> 00:30:40,000 I met Savoie, we started a joint project with 575 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:42,440 I met Savoie, we started a joint project with 576 00:30:42,480 --> 00:30:46,120 the Montreal Police Drug Squad and the RCMP. 577 00:30:46,160 --> 00:30:48,000 And I found Savoie to be a good guy, a comfortable guy to be with. 578 00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:51,480 And I found Savoie to be a good guy, a comfortable guy to be with. 579 00:30:53,440 --> 00:30:56,000 They've got this small little gang that suddenly pops out 580 00:30:56,000 --> 00:30:56,600 They've got this small little gang that suddenly pops out 581 00:30:56,640 --> 00:31:01,360 and becomes a major player in cocaine and now Claude Savoie 582 00:31:01,400 --> 00:31:04,000 has to be looking at Dunie Ryan. 583 00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:04,040 has to be looking at Dunie Ryan. 584 00:31:08,720 --> 00:31:12,000 The power and reach of the West End Gang was growing quite significantly 585 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:12,920 The power and reach of the West End Gang was growing quite significantly 586 00:31:12,960 --> 00:31:15,800 so they made sure they had the kind of lawyer 587 00:31:15,840 --> 00:31:17,720 with the brazen talent 588 00:31:17,760 --> 00:31:20,000 and connections within the justice system 589 00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:20,360 and connections within the justice system 590 00:31:20,400 --> 00:31:23,280 they needed to help protect their criminal empire. 591 00:31:24,560 --> 00:31:26,320 And that man was Sidney Leithman 592 00:31:26,360 --> 00:31:27,800 I can't say that, 593 00:31:27,840 --> 00:31:28,000 it's not because a warrant is issued that the man is guilty. 594 00:31:28,000 --> 00:31:31,400 it's not because a warrant is issued that the man is guilty. 595 00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:33,640 The first time I saw Sidney Leithman, 596 00:31:33,680 --> 00:31:36,000 I was in a courtroom and he walked in and suddenly the room was 597 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:37,720 I was in a courtroom and he walked in and suddenly the room was 598 00:31:37,760 --> 00:31:39,680 full of Sidney Leithman. 599 00:31:39,720 --> 00:31:43,200 I mean this guy was sort of a pastiche of some kind of 600 00:31:43,240 --> 00:31:44,000 Brooklyn mob Lawyer with the aviator glasses. 601 00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:47,000 Brooklyn mob Lawyer with the aviator glasses. 602 00:31:52,080 --> 00:31:54,000 Sidney Leithman was my lawyer. 603 00:31:54,040 --> 00:31:57,320 I got found not guilty on a few cases. Great lawyer. 604 00:31:57,360 --> 00:31:59,400 He was a fixer. 605 00:31:59,440 --> 00:32:00,000 He had a lot of judges, having judges makes cases a lot 606 00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:02,920 He had a lot of judges, having judges makes cases a lot 607 00:32:02,960 --> 00:32:04,080 easier for you. 608 00:32:04,120 --> 00:32:05,840 You're saying he had judges in his pocket? 609 00:32:05,880 --> 00:32:08,000 Yup. Oh for sure, for sure, for sure. 610 00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:08,040 Yup. Oh for sure, for sure, for sure. 611 00:32:11,560 --> 00:32:16,000 We knew at some point that Leithman was very friendly with one judge. 612 00:32:16,000 --> 00:32:17,000 We knew at some point that Leithman was very friendly with one judge. 613 00:32:18,360 --> 00:32:21,720 He was renting apartments for him every once in a while, 614 00:32:21,760 --> 00:32:24,000 he even had a girl, ya know, a prostitute. 615 00:32:26,120 --> 00:32:31,920 And eventually, he became the lawyer to a major Montreal crime boss, 616 00:32:31,960 --> 00:32:32,000 Frank Cotroni. 617 00:32:32,000 --> 00:32:33,760 Frank Cotroni. 618 00:32:33,800 --> 00:32:37,600 At the time, the Cotronis were the most powerful Mafia family 619 00:32:37,640 --> 00:32:38,840 in Montreal. 620 00:32:42,200 --> 00:32:44,760 Whatever he has done in the past, he has paid for that 621 00:32:44,800 --> 00:32:47,960 and it shouldn't affect him today. 622 00:32:48,000 --> 00:32:52,040 If you were caught and you were a member of the underworld of Montreal, 623 00:32:52,080 --> 00:32:55,000 they cry would go out "Get me Leithman". 624 00:32:55,040 --> 00:32:56,000 He represented the Italian mafia guys, the Hell's Angels guys 625 00:32:56,000 --> 00:32:58,640 He represented the Italian mafia guys, the Hell's Angels guys 626 00:32:58,680 --> 00:33:00,040 and the West End Gang. 627 00:33:01,320 --> 00:33:03,400 I don't know what the right answer is? 628 00:33:03,440 --> 00:33:04,000 Sidney became the corporate lawyer for the West End Gang. 629 00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:06,880 Sidney became the corporate lawyer for the West End Gang. 630 00:33:06,920 --> 00:33:10,520 He was always there for them, any time, 24 hours a day, 631 00:33:10,560 --> 00:33:12,000 seven days a week. That was Sidney Leithman. 632 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:13,000 seven days a week. That was Sidney Leithman. 633 00:33:15,960 --> 00:33:20,000 Dunie Ryan appreciated him so much that he gave him an Irish Claddagh ring. 634 00:33:20,000 --> 00:33:20,320 Dunie Ryan appreciated him so much that he gave him an Irish Claddagh ring. 635 00:33:25,800 --> 00:33:28,000 Dunie Ryan really wanted to create a bond among the people 636 00:33:28,000 --> 00:33:28,440 Dunie Ryan really wanted to create a bond among the people 637 00:33:28,480 --> 00:33:33,000 who worked underneath him and he made each of them a Claddagh ring. 638 00:33:33,040 --> 00:33:36,000 It's a symbol, it's a heart and it's two hands pulling on either side 639 00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:36,280 It's a symbol, it's a heart and it's two hands pulling on either side 640 00:33:36,320 --> 00:33:37,480 of the heart. 641 00:33:41,240 --> 00:33:42,360 Leithman said, 642 00:33:42,400 --> 00:33:44,000 "I'm probably the only Jew in the city that is wearing one of these rings." 643 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:45,680 "I'm probably the only Jew in the city that is wearing one of these rings." 644 00:33:45,720 --> 00:33:49,320 He was very proud of it and he used to show it to everybody in court. 645 00:33:51,080 --> 00:33:52,000 He was like a made-man with that ring. 646 00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:53,920 He was like a made-man with that ring. 647 00:33:56,800 --> 00:33:59,000 For him to give that ring to Sidney Leithman, 648 00:33:59,040 --> 00:34:00,000 to me it's a sign that a) I trust you, 649 00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:01,640 to me it's a sign that a) I trust you, 650 00:34:01,680 --> 00:34:05,880 b) it's possible that Mr Leithman was facilitating his crimes. 651 00:34:07,840 --> 00:34:08,000 He got involved in levels of drug dealing that he should have never 652 00:34:08,000 --> 00:34:12,240 He got involved in levels of drug dealing that he should have never 653 00:34:12,280 --> 00:34:14,440 ever been a part of. 654 00:34:14,480 --> 00:34:16,000 And once you do that, you are caught by this group now. 655 00:34:16,000 --> 00:34:19,800 And once you do that, you are caught by this group now. 656 00:34:19,840 --> 00:34:24,000 You are no longer their lawyer, you're their slave. 657 00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:24,280 You are no longer their lawyer, you're their slave. 658 00:34:29,520 --> 00:34:32,000 The Brinks robbery was something that ate at Andre Savard for years. 659 00:34:32,000 --> 00:34:35,320 The Brinks robbery was something that ate at Andre Savard for years. 660 00:34:35,360 --> 00:34:37,240 Andre would not let go of it. 661 00:34:38,320 --> 00:34:40,000 I'm mad at them like hell, 662 00:34:40,000 --> 00:34:40,400 I'm mad at them like hell, 663 00:34:40,440 --> 00:34:44,120 so I am going to put them in jail, arrest them. That's my vengeance. 664 00:34:46,960 --> 00:34:48,000 After the Brinks hold-up police combed the city for clues. 665 00:34:48,000 --> 00:34:50,760 After the Brinks hold-up police combed the city for clues. 666 00:34:50,800 --> 00:34:54,560 Police killed suspect John Slawvey in a shootout. 667 00:34:54,600 --> 00:34:56,000 Four years later police raided this house on Greene Avenue. 668 00:34:56,000 --> 00:34:58,040 Four years later police raided this house on Greene Avenue. 669 00:34:58,080 --> 00:35:02,520 Under these floorboards they found almost $290,000, 670 00:35:02,560 --> 00:35:04,000 believed part of the Brinks loot. 671 00:35:04,000 --> 00:35:04,320 believed part of the Brinks loot. 672 00:35:04,360 --> 00:35:07,040 Slawvey lived at the Greene avenue house. 673 00:35:08,640 --> 00:35:12,000 That was one crime that really got under his skin. 674 00:35:12,000 --> 00:35:13,160 That was one crime that really got under his skin. 675 00:35:13,200 --> 00:35:14,440 Eight years later, 676 00:35:14,480 --> 00:35:18,360 he finally caught most of the perpetrators of the Brink robbery. 677 00:35:19,360 --> 00:35:20,000 The indictment charges five persons with conspiracy 678 00:35:20,000 --> 00:35:22,080 The indictment charges five persons with conspiracy 679 00:35:22,120 --> 00:35:25,000 and armed robbery about $3 million. 680 00:35:26,840 --> 00:35:28,000 Only the small fry who were involved in it get tried and sentenced. 681 00:35:28,000 --> 00:35:30,800 Only the small fry who were involved in it get tried and sentenced. 682 00:35:30,840 --> 00:35:34,280 The leaders of the Brinks robbery, the guys who put it together, 683 00:35:34,320 --> 00:35:35,680 get off scot free. 684 00:35:38,240 --> 00:35:43,280 Not guilty? Tabarnac, not guilty? 685 00:35:43,320 --> 00:35:44,000 That was worse than the O.J. Simpson case. 686 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:46,960 That was worse than the O.J. Simpson case. 687 00:35:47,000 --> 00:35:48,320 This was unbelievable. 688 00:35:48,360 --> 00:35:50,960 What the hell do you want, you know? 689 00:35:52,240 --> 00:35:53,560 So... 690 00:35:54,840 --> 00:35:59,760 So in 1984, after the Brink's investigation, 691 00:35:59,800 --> 00:36:00,000 I decided that it was time for me to go to the top job 692 00:36:00,000 --> 00:36:03,280 I decided that it was time for me to go to the top job 693 00:36:03,320 --> 00:36:06,680 where I think being a homicide cop was at the top. 694 00:36:10,920 --> 00:36:14,960 Many years ago, my mother had to send me to an orphanage. 695 00:36:16,120 --> 00:36:19,880 I always had a tendency to stand up for the little guy. 696 00:36:21,040 --> 00:36:23,240 I had to defend them, you know, somehow. 697 00:36:24,120 --> 00:36:28,000 Being a cop, the best way to do this would be to stop people from 698 00:36:28,040 --> 00:36:29,760 killing each other. 699 00:36:29,800 --> 00:36:31,880 And it became like an obsession. 700 00:36:42,640 --> 00:36:46,840 Dunie Tyan would operate and hold court in various motels 701 00:36:46,880 --> 00:36:48,000 in the West end of Montreal. 702 00:36:48,000 --> 00:36:48,560 in the West end of Montreal. 703 00:36:50,280 --> 00:36:54,800 He spends a lot of time hanging out at Nitillo's on Upper Lachine Road. 704 00:36:56,520 --> 00:36:59,520 When I was 15 years old, I got my first real job 705 00:36:59,560 --> 00:37:01,600 as a busboy at Nittolo's. 706 00:37:01,640 --> 00:37:03,760 And it was a very respected place 707 00:37:03,800 --> 00:37:04,000 but there was also a criminal element to it. 708 00:37:04,000 --> 00:37:06,320 but there was also a criminal element to it. 709 00:37:09,600 --> 00:37:12,000 That's where members of the West End Gang, 710 00:37:12,000 --> 00:37:12,880 That's where members of the West End Gang, 711 00:37:12,920 --> 00:37:17,360 most of them Irish guys, would come and pay homage to Dunie Ryan. 712 00:37:19,120 --> 00:37:20,000 He was very generous with his cohorts. 713 00:37:20,000 --> 00:37:21,840 He was very generous with his cohorts. 714 00:37:21,880 --> 00:37:25,960 And if they got out of jail Dunie right away would give the guy money 715 00:37:26,000 --> 00:37:28,000 to buy new clothes, a couple of grams of cocaine. 716 00:37:28,000 --> 00:37:29,920 to buy new clothes, a couple of grams of cocaine. 717 00:37:29,960 --> 00:37:33,120 And he would keep their loyalty that way. 718 00:37:34,440 --> 00:37:36,000 What made him, Dunie, a good crime boss? 719 00:37:36,000 --> 00:37:37,360 What made him, Dunie, a good crime boss? 720 00:37:37,400 --> 00:37:38,960 He had a good gang. 721 00:37:39,000 --> 00:37:42,400 He just had good people around him that supported him. 722 00:37:45,480 --> 00:37:47,720 Dunie is running this powerful business. 723 00:37:47,760 --> 00:37:49,920 He has a very nice home, 724 00:37:49,960 --> 00:37:52,000 and a 30-foot power yacht where he entertained his cronies. 725 00:37:52,000 --> 00:37:53,840 and a 30-foot power yacht where he entertained his cronies. 726 00:37:55,200 --> 00:37:58,720 The money had become almost a joke to the guys. 727 00:37:58,760 --> 00:38:00,000 It was that much money, that was the legend. 728 00:38:00,000 --> 00:38:02,040 It was that much money, that was the legend. 729 00:38:03,400 --> 00:38:05,400 I think there was always the idea that 730 00:38:05,440 --> 00:38:08,000 "Hey you could be living this dream, you could be living this life." 731 00:38:08,000 --> 00:38:08,240 "Hey you could be living this dream, you could be living this life." 732 00:38:08,280 --> 00:38:11,800 They sold that dream very well and the younger people who were 733 00:38:11,840 --> 00:38:14,960 at the bottom looked up to them and thought they were so cool 734 00:38:15,000 --> 00:38:16,000 and be like them one day and they bought the lie. 735 00:38:16,000 --> 00:38:18,040 and be like them one day and they bought the lie. 736 00:38:20,120 --> 00:38:23,120 They lived the high life in every way. 737 00:38:23,160 --> 00:38:24,000 And meanwhile none of that trickled down back to the people 738 00:38:24,000 --> 00:38:26,000 And meanwhile none of that trickled down back to the people 739 00:38:26,040 --> 00:38:28,080 who were working for them. 740 00:38:28,120 --> 00:38:32,000 Wow, it hasn't changed. My bedroom was right up there. 741 00:38:32,000 --> 00:38:32,400 Wow, it hasn't changed. My bedroom was right up there. 742 00:38:34,680 --> 00:38:36,440 They didn't share any of that wealth. 743 00:38:36,480 --> 00:38:39,160 They got to live this lifestyle that the people in The Point 744 00:38:39,200 --> 00:38:40,000 could only dream of. 745 00:38:40,000 --> 00:38:40,520 could only dream of. 746 00:38:46,280 --> 00:38:48,000 Dunie Ryan might have been an honest thief, 747 00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:48,680 Dunie Ryan might have been an honest thief, 748 00:38:48,720 --> 00:38:50,360 as a lot of people called him, 749 00:38:50,400 --> 00:38:54,320 however if you crossed Dunie, there could be hell to pay. 750 00:38:57,280 --> 00:39:01,640 Patrick McGurnaghan was a mid-level member of the West End Gang. 751 00:39:01,680 --> 00:39:04,000 He owed Dunie about 200,000 bucks and every time Dunie tried to collect, 752 00:39:04,000 --> 00:39:06,400 He owed Dunie about 200,000 bucks and every time Dunie tried to collect, 753 00:39:06,440 --> 00:39:09,720 McGurnaghan would blow him off. 754 00:39:09,760 --> 00:39:12,000 Dunie hired Apache Trudeau who is a Hells Angels guy 755 00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:13,560 Dunie hired Apache Trudeau who is a Hells Angels guy 756 00:39:13,600 --> 00:39:16,000 also known as the Mad Bomber. 757 00:39:16,040 --> 00:39:18,440 He was basically a psychopath. 758 00:39:18,480 --> 00:39:20,000 But he was very handy to be hired if you wanted somebody killed. 759 00:39:20,000 --> 00:39:23,080 But he was very handy to be hired if you wanted somebody killed. 760 00:39:26,320 --> 00:39:28,000 Apache Trudeau planted a bomb underneath McGurnaghan's car 761 00:39:28,000 --> 00:39:29,880 Apache Trudeau planted a bomb underneath McGurnaghan's car 762 00:39:29,920 --> 00:39:32,720 with a radio device that would detonate the bomb. 763 00:39:34,440 --> 00:39:36,000 McGurnaghan gets in his car and starts driving... 764 00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:38,360 McGurnaghan gets in his car and starts driving... 765 00:39:40,520 --> 00:39:43,360 ..turns the corner near a park and a school. 766 00:39:52,320 --> 00:39:55,800 The white 1977 Mercedes Benz was travelling south about 767 00:39:55,840 --> 00:39:57,560 quarter to one this afternoon. 768 00:39:57,600 --> 00:40:00,000 Suddenly a loud explosion, the car blew apart and came to stop 769 00:40:00,000 --> 00:40:01,440 Suddenly a loud explosion, the car blew apart and came to stop 770 00:40:01,480 --> 00:40:03,840 off the side of the road 150 feet away. 771 00:40:07,080 --> 00:40:08,000 The man just fell out and his arms and legs were blown off. 772 00:40:08,000 --> 00:40:10,760 The man just fell out and his arms and legs were blown off. 773 00:40:16,120 --> 00:40:18,480 And that was the end of McGurnaghan. 774 00:40:21,720 --> 00:40:24,000 Dunie had made an example of him. And the word was out very quickly - 775 00:40:24,000 --> 00:40:26,640 Dunie had made an example of him. And the word was out very quickly - 776 00:40:26,680 --> 00:40:28,560 you do not fuck with Dunie. 777 00:40:33,920 --> 00:40:37,200 In that period of time, I was a homicide cop 778 00:40:37,240 --> 00:40:40,000 and I was involved with an informer that the West End Gang 779 00:40:40,000 --> 00:40:41,520 and I was involved with an informer that the West End Gang 780 00:40:41,560 --> 00:40:42,960 was trying to kill. 781 00:41:48,160 --> 00:41:51,080 The West End Gang had a lot of power, complete power, 782 00:41:51,120 --> 00:41:52,000 because people in The Point knew there was no line 783 00:41:52,000 --> 00:41:53,800 because people in The Point knew there was no line 784 00:41:53,840 --> 00:41:55,240 they wouldn't cross. 785 00:41:58,440 --> 00:42:00,000 Because we were so close to the tracks we could see them bringing 786 00:42:00,000 --> 00:42:01,040 Because we were so close to the tracks we could see them bringing 787 00:42:01,080 --> 00:42:04,680 a body that they would be able to distribute along the train track 788 00:42:04,720 --> 00:42:07,160 because the train can do a lot of damage to a body 789 00:42:07,200 --> 00:42:08,000 and get rid of the parts. 790 00:42:08,000 --> 00:42:08,840 and get rid of the parts. 791 00:42:11,760 --> 00:42:15,840 When I was a kid, I came to look after the train had gone by 792 00:42:15,880 --> 00:42:16,000 and lying on the dirt not far from the track, 793 00:42:16,000 --> 00:42:19,400 and lying on the dirt not far from the track, 794 00:42:19,440 --> 00:42:21,440 I wasn't sure at first what it was, 795 00:42:21,480 --> 00:42:24,000 and then I realised it was a hand and sort of kicked it 796 00:42:24,000 --> 00:42:24,360 and then I realised it was a hand and sort of kicked it 797 00:42:24,400 --> 00:42:28,280 a bit with my foot and thought "Wow". 798 00:42:28,320 --> 00:42:30,560 I mean the fingertips were still attached, 799 00:42:30,600 --> 00:42:32,000 it was a complete hand that hadn't even been crushed. 800 00:42:32,000 --> 00:42:34,040 it was a complete hand that hadn't even been crushed. 801 00:42:40,360 --> 00:42:43,160 Violence like that, it breeds more violence. 802 00:42:59,520 --> 00:43:02,840 By 1984, Dunie Ryan is looking over his shoulder, 803 00:43:02,880 --> 00:43:04,000 wondering how safe his perch might be, 804 00:43:04,000 --> 00:43:05,560 wondering how safe his perch might be, 805 00:43:05,600 --> 00:43:07,760 because he knows people are jealous of him. 806 00:43:12,840 --> 00:43:16,240 Dunie had worth between 50 and 100 million 807 00:43:16,280 --> 00:43:20,000 and he did express his concerns about his own safety 808 00:43:20,000 --> 00:43:20,800 and he did express his concerns about his own safety 809 00:43:20,840 --> 00:43:23,960 and he was worried about his kids being possibly kidnapped. 810 00:43:27,240 --> 00:43:28,000 The West End Gang was splitting in some ways, you know? 811 00:43:28,000 --> 00:43:30,520 The West End Gang was splitting in some ways, you know? 812 00:43:30,560 --> 00:43:33,280 Everybody wanted to take over. That's the way criminals are, 813 00:43:33,320 --> 00:43:35,680 you know. They want to take over. 814 00:43:38,280 --> 00:43:42,880 In that world, it's a vicious world. It can come from anywhere. 815 00:43:46,920 --> 00:43:50,800 Dunie rides to meet up with some members of his gang 816 00:43:50,840 --> 00:43:52,000 in the bar at Nittolo's. 817 00:43:52,000 --> 00:43:52,560 in the bar at Nittolo's. 818 00:43:54,160 --> 00:43:56,840 That was where he hung out, did business, 819 00:43:56,880 --> 00:44:00,000 he wouldn't think twice about something happening to him there. 820 00:44:00,000 --> 00:44:00,160 he wouldn't think twice about something happening to him there. 821 00:44:00,200 --> 00:44:05,560 As Dunie is sitting there, a fellow by the name of Paul April 822 00:44:05,600 --> 00:44:08,000 approaches his table. 823 00:44:08,000 --> 00:44:08,560 approaches his table. 824 00:44:08,600 --> 00:44:12,680 And he owes Dunie Ryan $200,000 825 00:44:12,720 --> 00:44:14,560 and he's scared. 826 00:44:17,000 --> 00:44:20,600 He invites Dunie to a room at the motel 827 00:44:20,640 --> 00:44:23,480 where he says he's going to pay him, give him the money. 828 00:44:23,520 --> 00:44:24,000 Dunie says "OK, let's go." And off they go to Room 40. 829 00:44:24,000 --> 00:44:28,200 Dunie says "OK, let's go." And off they go to Room 40. 830 00:44:30,040 --> 00:44:32,000 They walk in there and out of the bathroom 831 00:44:32,000 --> 00:44:33,280 They walk in there and out of the bathroom 832 00:44:33,320 --> 00:44:38,920 steps a friend of Paul April's with a shotgun in his hand. 833 00:44:38,960 --> 00:44:40,000 Dunie knows he's doomed unless he gets out of there. 834 00:44:40,000 --> 00:44:43,000 Dunie knows he's doomed unless he gets out of there. 835 00:44:43,040 --> 00:44:46,280 He's gotta fight his way out of there or he's finished. 836 00:44:46,320 --> 00:44:48,000 So he picked up the chair and smashed it into the window 837 00:44:48,000 --> 00:44:50,920 So he picked up the chair and smashed it into the window 838 00:44:50,960 --> 00:44:52,240 to make a break for it. 839 00:44:53,560 --> 00:44:55,000 He went down swinging. 840 00:45:00,640 --> 00:45:04,000 One of Paul April's henchmen blasts Dunie Ryan in the chest, 841 00:45:04,000 --> 00:45:05,840 One of Paul April's henchmen blasts Dunie Ryan in the chest, 842 00:45:05,880 --> 00:45:07,520 blows him away. 843 00:45:13,840 --> 00:45:16,920 'Reputed West End cocaine dealer Peter Dunie Ryan 844 00:45:16,960 --> 00:45:19,560 was shot to death in a motel on Upper Lachine Road. 845 00:45:19,600 --> 00:45:20,000 Who did it is anybody's guess, but it had to be someone Ryan trusted 846 00:45:20,000 --> 00:45:23,280 Who did it is anybody's guess, but it had to be someone Ryan trusted 847 00:45:23,320 --> 00:45:25,760 for a killer or killers to get so close to him 848 00:45:25,800 --> 00:45:28,000 with a 12-gauge shotgun and a .45 calibre pistol.' 849 00:45:28,000 --> 00:45:28,600 with a 12-gauge shotgun and a .45 calibre pistol.' 850 00:45:32,120 --> 00:45:35,760 He died at 42. It's a very young age. 851 00:45:35,800 --> 00:45:36,000 Dunie wanted to "Live Fast, Love Hard and Die Young." 852 00:45:36,000 --> 00:45:39,480 Dunie wanted to "Live Fast, Love Hard and Die Young." 853 00:45:41,040 --> 00:45:44,000 If that was his motto in life, then all three wishes came true, 854 00:45:44,000 --> 00:45:45,560 If that was his motto in life, then all three wishes came true, 855 00:45:45,600 --> 00:45:47,000 unfortunately. 856 00:45:59,120 --> 00:46:00,000 Dunie's funeral was here. 857 00:46:00,000 --> 00:46:01,280 Dunie's funeral was here. 858 00:46:01,320 --> 00:46:07,120 Just not too far away was where he was killed 859 00:46:07,160 --> 00:46:08,000 and where he did a lot of business. 860 00:46:08,000 --> 00:46:09,040 and where he did a lot of business. 861 00:46:12,360 --> 00:46:14,760 Dunie Ryan for me was close to home. 862 00:46:17,400 --> 00:46:20,720 I worked at Nittolo's as a kid. 863 00:46:20,760 --> 00:46:24,000 I shot pool as a teenager at Smitty's, a big hangout of his. 864 00:46:24,000 --> 00:46:25,760 I shot pool as a teenager at Smitty's, a big hangout of his. 865 00:46:27,280 --> 00:46:29,640 There's more of a familiarity, a character 866 00:46:29,680 --> 00:46:32,000 that you're reporting on, when they've covered the same turf as you. 867 00:46:32,000 --> 00:46:34,080 that you're reporting on, when they've covered the same turf as you. 868 00:46:37,160 --> 00:46:40,000 The loveable anti-hero. Maybe he struck that chord in me. 869 00:46:40,000 --> 00:46:42,600 The loveable anti-hero. Maybe he struck that chord in me. 870 00:46:48,760 --> 00:46:52,360 One of the things about the West End Gang that I think is terrible 871 00:46:52,400 --> 00:46:54,520 is how much we want to romanticise them. 872 00:46:54,560 --> 00:46:56,000 I always thought they were pieces of shit. 873 00:46:56,000 --> 00:46:56,720 I always thought they were pieces of shit. 874 00:46:56,760 --> 00:46:59,400 I don't know why people looked up to them. I would look at them 875 00:46:59,440 --> 00:47:02,200 and think, "Fuck you. You're not the hero that you think you are, 876 00:47:02,240 --> 00:47:04,000 or that you want to pretend you are." 877 00:47:04,000 --> 00:47:04,480 or that you want to pretend you are." 878 00:47:04,520 --> 00:47:07,240 They were bullies who were just taking advantage of people 879 00:47:07,280 --> 00:47:08,560 who were vulnerable. 880 00:47:08,600 --> 00:47:10,800 A lot of them are not nice people. 881 00:47:10,840 --> 00:47:12,000 The criminal world is a fucked up world, there is no doubt about it. 882 00:47:12,000 --> 00:47:14,080 The criminal world is a fucked up world, there is no doubt about it. 883 00:47:23,280 --> 00:47:27,360 When Dunie Ryan was killed, 884 00:47:27,400 --> 00:47:28,000 Allan Ross, just by the vacancy, 885 00:47:28,000 --> 00:47:29,960 Allan Ross, just by the vacancy, 886 00:47:30,000 --> 00:47:32,760 the vacuum of power, swung in. 887 00:47:34,440 --> 00:47:36,000 'Allan Ross started out running errands for Dunie Ryan. 888 00:47:36,000 --> 00:47:37,920 'Allan Ross started out running errands for Dunie Ryan. 889 00:47:37,960 --> 00:47:40,600 He spent a lot of nights at this West End motel 890 00:47:40,640 --> 00:47:43,200 watching Ryan collect millions from drug-running.' 891 00:47:43,240 --> 00:47:44,000 You could stop Allan Ross on the street and you could see 892 00:47:44,000 --> 00:47:46,960 You could stop Allan Ross on the street and you could see 893 00:47:47,000 --> 00:47:49,640 the hate in his eyes for police, you could see it 894 00:47:49,680 --> 00:47:52,000 while talking to him. You know, that scar he had on his face 895 00:47:52,000 --> 00:47:52,960 while talking to him. You know, that scar he had on his face 896 00:47:53,000 --> 00:47:55,240 and his beady eyes looking at you. 897 00:47:56,560 --> 00:48:00,000 He was a violent human being and if he wanted something, 898 00:48:00,000 --> 00:48:00,520 He was a violent human being and if he wanted something, 899 00:48:00,560 --> 00:48:03,000 I believe he would have killed you for it. 900 00:48:03,040 --> 00:48:05,640 Allan Ross would destroy you if you're not careful. 901 00:48:07,880 --> 00:48:08,000 He was considered a nasty piece of work. 902 00:48:08,000 --> 00:48:11,280 He was considered a nasty piece of work. 903 00:48:11,320 --> 00:48:13,680 His nickname was The Weasel. 904 00:48:13,720 --> 00:48:16,000 Some say it's because he looked like a ferret. 905 00:48:16,000 --> 00:48:16,760 Some say it's because he looked like a ferret. 906 00:48:18,040 --> 00:48:21,080 He tried to get away with everything, he tried not to be 907 00:48:21,120 --> 00:48:24,000 involved in things and if he was involved he'd be in the back. 908 00:48:24,000 --> 00:48:25,640 involved in things and if he was involved he'd be in the back. 909 00:48:25,680 --> 00:48:28,120 They called him The Weasel for a reason, you know. 910 00:48:28,160 --> 00:48:32,000 Paul April is out in the East End at a bar bragging about it 911 00:48:32,000 --> 00:48:32,800 Paul April is out in the East End at a bar bragging about it 912 00:48:32,840 --> 00:48:35,440 with his buddies, saying, "The King is dead. 913 00:48:35,480 --> 00:48:39,800 Dunie Ryan is dead and now I'm the king." 914 00:48:39,840 --> 00:48:40,000 I mean, it's laughable. Who are you? 915 00:48:40,000 --> 00:48:42,200 I mean, it's laughable. Who are you? 916 00:48:43,920 --> 00:48:48,000 Allan Ross knew who was involved in Dunie Ryan's murder 917 00:48:48,000 --> 00:48:49,440 Allan Ross knew who was involved in Dunie Ryan's murder 918 00:48:49,480 --> 00:48:51,840 and he set about getting them. 919 00:48:59,200 --> 00:49:04,000 Paul April was staying with his gang in the apartment on De Maisonneuve. 920 00:49:04,000 --> 00:49:04,440 Paul April was staying with his gang in the apartment on De Maisonneuve. 921 00:49:04,480 --> 00:49:07,440 They knew that the gang was looking, especially Allan Ross 922 00:49:07,480 --> 00:49:11,080 was looking for him to avenge Dunie Ryan. 923 00:49:17,840 --> 00:49:20,000 It's four in the morning. 924 00:49:20,040 --> 00:49:23,840 Paul April and three of his cronies are holed up in this apartment. 925 00:49:23,880 --> 00:49:27,640 They're doing coke, they are having a good time. 926 00:49:27,680 --> 00:49:28,000 There's a knock on the door 927 00:49:28,000 --> 00:49:29,360 There's a knock on the door 928 00:49:29,400 --> 00:49:32,640 and who's at the door but Apache Trudeau? 929 00:49:33,880 --> 00:49:36,000 He's got a gift for Paul April. It's a video recorder... 930 00:49:36,000 --> 00:49:38,880 He's got a gift for Paul April. It's a video recorder... 931 00:49:38,920 --> 00:49:42,400 ..with a tape called 'The History of the Hell's Angels in Montreal.' 932 00:49:42,440 --> 00:49:44,000 Aren't you a little suspicious about this at four in the morning? 933 00:49:44,000 --> 00:49:46,320 Aren't you a little suspicious about this at four in the morning? 934 00:49:46,360 --> 00:49:48,920 That it's Apache Trudeau, for heaven's sake. 935 00:49:48,960 --> 00:49:50,080 You know who this guy is... 936 00:49:51,560 --> 00:49:52,000 ... this legendary mass bomber for the Hell's Angels. 937 00:49:52,000 --> 00:49:55,360 ... this legendary mass bomber for the Hell's Angels. 938 00:49:56,880 --> 00:50:00,000 Paul April puts the VCR down and Apache Trudeau leaves. 939 00:50:00,000 --> 00:50:01,040 Paul April puts the VCR down and Apache Trudeau leaves. 940 00:50:03,120 --> 00:50:06,880 A little while later he turns on the VCR. 941 00:50:10,320 --> 00:50:16,000 They put the tape inside. It's been wired by Apache Trudeau 942 00:50:16,000 --> 00:50:16,280 They put the tape inside. It's been wired by Apache Trudeau 943 00:50:16,320 --> 00:50:20,280 so that after it's played for a couple of minutes... 944 00:50:27,640 --> 00:50:31,880 The windows come screaming out onto the street. 945 00:50:31,920 --> 00:50:32,000 Half the floor is gone. 946 00:50:32,000 --> 00:50:34,360 Half the floor is gone. 947 00:50:37,640 --> 00:50:40,000 'There was so much damage, firemen had to use an aerial crane 948 00:50:40,000 --> 00:50:41,560 'There was so much damage, firemen had to use an aerial crane 949 00:50:41,600 --> 00:50:43,040 to remove the four bodies.' 950 00:50:45,200 --> 00:50:48,000 'They are now saying that a full-scale gang war 951 00:50:48,000 --> 00:50:48,320 'They are now saying that a full-scale gang war 952 00:50:48,360 --> 00:50:50,400 may now be underway, because two of the four men 953 00:50:50,440 --> 00:50:53,120 in room 917 when the ten-pound dynamite bomb exploded 954 00:50:53,160 --> 00:50:55,840 were believed to be part of the Ryan organisation.' 955 00:50:58,160 --> 00:51:02,040 It's a huge bomb, a lot of C4 packed into it 956 00:51:02,080 --> 00:51:04,000 and it blows the occupants of the apartment to smithereens. 957 00:51:04,000 --> 00:51:05,600 and it blows the occupants of the apartment to smithereens. 958 00:51:10,080 --> 00:51:12,000 Paul April's face is gone, most of his body is gone. 959 00:51:12,000 --> 00:51:14,680 Paul April's face is gone, most of his body is gone. 960 00:51:14,720 --> 00:51:19,400 At the time they didn't really know 961 00:51:19,440 --> 00:51:20,000 what had happened and they thought 962 00:51:20,000 --> 00:51:21,040 what had happened and they thought 963 00:51:21,080 --> 00:51:23,400 that because his chest was blown away 964 00:51:23,440 --> 00:51:27,920 he had been making a bomb that was going to be strapped to his body. 965 00:51:58,680 --> 00:52:00,000 'Yves Apache Trudeau took part in 43 murders 966 00:52:00,000 --> 00:52:01,920 'Yves Apache Trudeau took part in 43 murders 967 00:52:01,960 --> 00:52:05,200 as a Hell's Angels hitman in the '70s and '80s, 968 00:52:05,240 --> 00:52:08,000 sometimes with guns, sometimes with bombs. 969 00:52:08,000 --> 00:52:08,200 sometimes with guns, sometimes with bombs. 970 00:52:08,240 --> 00:52:11,200 A violent man, even by biker standards.' 971 00:52:20,200 --> 00:52:24,000 Police confirmed from Apache Trudeau that he was hired by Allan Ross 972 00:52:24,000 --> 00:52:25,120 Police confirmed from Apache Trudeau that he was hired by Allan Ross 973 00:52:25,160 --> 00:52:27,760 to plant that bomb in Paul April's apartment. 974 00:52:27,800 --> 00:52:31,200 Luckily for Allan Ross, he was never charged for that murder, 975 00:52:31,240 --> 00:52:32,000 because it was really Apache Trudeau's word against Allan Ross's word. 976 00:52:32,000 --> 00:52:35,520 because it was really Apache Trudeau's word against Allan Ross's word. 977 00:52:39,240 --> 00:52:40,000 I got in touch with Allan Ross to find out his take on the story 978 00:52:40,000 --> 00:52:43,400 I got in touch with Allan Ross to find out his take on the story 979 00:52:43,440 --> 00:52:47,080 of what happened and whether he was involved and so on. 980 00:52:47,120 --> 00:52:48,000 He wrote me back. "There was only two things that could happen 981 00:52:48,000 --> 00:52:51,880 He wrote me back. "There was only two things that could happen 982 00:52:51,920 --> 00:52:55,000 when Dunie got killed. I was gonna get killed 983 00:52:55,040 --> 00:52:56,000 or the people responsible for Dunie's death were gonna get killed. 984 00:52:56,000 --> 00:52:58,680 or the people responsible for Dunie's death were gonna get killed. 985 00:52:58,720 --> 00:53:04,000 Paul was in a tavern bragging that he had killed the king 986 00:53:04,040 --> 00:53:06,960 and Paul was looking to see which way the wind was blowing. 987 00:53:07,000 --> 00:53:10,840 And 13 days later, it was blowing him to hell. Ha-ha!!" 988 00:53:13,480 --> 00:53:17,280 So one by one in a very systematic way, 989 00:53:17,320 --> 00:53:20,000 Allan Ross took out everybody involved in Dunie Ryan's murder. 990 00:53:20,000 --> 00:53:21,960 Allan Ross took out everybody involved in Dunie Ryan's murder. 991 00:53:23,600 --> 00:53:25,160 Because as the saying goes, 992 00:53:25,200 --> 00:53:28,000 three people can keep a secret only if two of them are dead. 993 00:53:28,000 --> 00:53:29,680 three people can keep a secret only if two of them are dead. 994 00:53:29,720 --> 00:53:33,360 This was bound to happen because there was war 995 00:53:33,400 --> 00:53:34,680 inside the gang itself. 996 00:53:34,720 --> 00:53:36,000 The organised crime groups, 997 00:53:36,000 --> 00:53:37,560 The organised crime groups, 998 00:53:37,600 --> 00:53:39,240 they destroy themselves. 999 00:53:39,280 --> 00:53:42,560 They don't care about anybody but themselves. 1000 00:53:46,880 --> 00:53:48,840 And at the end of it all, 1001 00:53:48,880 --> 00:53:52,000 Allan Ross had finally secured his own position 1002 00:53:52,000 --> 00:53:52,640 Allan Ross had finally secured his own position 1003 00:53:52,680 --> 00:53:55,280 as the new king of the West End Gang, 1004 00:53:55,320 --> 00:53:58,600 with his own people, his own structure 1005 00:53:58,640 --> 00:54:00,000 and his own way of doing business. 1006 00:54:00,000 --> 00:54:00,520 and his own way of doing business. 1007 00:54:03,840 --> 00:54:07,040 'Ross went on to make more, much more. 1008 00:54:07,080 --> 00:54:08,000 Under his command the West End Gang forged a partnership 1009 00:54:08,000 --> 00:54:10,560 Under his command the West End Gang forged a partnership 1010 00:54:10,600 --> 00:54:14,320 with the Sicilian Mafia and Colombia's cocaine cartels.' 1011 00:54:21,080 --> 00:54:24,000 I became the lead attorney for the organised crime task force 1012 00:54:24,000 --> 00:54:24,400 I became the lead attorney for the organised crime task force 1013 00:54:24,440 --> 00:54:27,680 in north Florida. At that time every big criminal organisation 1014 00:54:27,720 --> 00:54:30,560 on Planet Earth was in drugs coming out of Colombia. 1015 00:54:32,160 --> 00:54:35,320 We worked the Colombian cartels hard and the cartel 1016 00:54:35,360 --> 00:54:37,880 that I was primarily interested in was better armed 1017 00:54:37,920 --> 00:54:40,000 and in greater numbers than the Colombian army. 1018 00:54:40,000 --> 00:54:41,120 and in greater numbers than the Colombian army. 1019 00:54:41,160 --> 00:54:44,080 So we're watching everything they do 1020 00:54:44,120 --> 00:54:47,120 and lo and behold there's this guy from Montreal that shows up, 1021 00:54:47,160 --> 00:54:48,000 Allan Ross. It's like, "What the heck is going on with that?" 1022 00:54:48,000 --> 00:54:50,720 Allan Ross. It's like, "What the heck is going on with that?" 1023 00:54:50,760 --> 00:54:51,960 So we start digging. 1024 00:54:52,000 --> 00:54:54,560 'By the mid 1980s, Florida drug agents 1025 00:54:54,600 --> 00:54:56,000 began secretly investigating Ross.' 1026 00:54:56,000 --> 00:54:56,880 began secretly investigating Ross.' 1027 00:54:56,920 --> 00:55:02,200 For a Canadian to go down and make direct contact with the Colombian Cartel guys, 1028 00:55:02,240 --> 00:55:03,680 I had never seen that before. 1029 00:55:03,720 --> 00:55:04,000 We indicted Allan Ross for being the lead figure 1030 00:55:04,000 --> 00:55:07,720 We indicted Allan Ross for being the lead figure 1031 00:55:07,760 --> 00:55:11,920 to traffic in illegal drugs in the United States, Canada 1032 00:55:11,960 --> 00:55:12,000 and elsewhere. You seal the indictment 1033 00:55:12,000 --> 00:55:14,480 and elsewhere. You seal the indictment 1034 00:55:14,520 --> 00:55:16,360 so they don't know you are coming for them. 1035 00:55:16,400 --> 00:55:20,000 'Narcotics worth hundreds of millions have been seized in Montreal 1036 00:55:20,000 --> 00:55:20,440 'Narcotics worth hundreds of millions have been seized in Montreal 1037 00:55:20,480 --> 00:55:23,120 during the past 11 months, but no-one has been arrested. 1038 00:55:23,160 --> 00:55:27,520 Inside the container, agents found a fortune in narcotics, 1039 00:55:27,560 --> 00:55:28,000 but no-one claimed it, perhaps because the dealers knew 1040 00:55:28,000 --> 00:55:29,960 but no-one claimed it, perhaps because the dealers knew 1041 00:55:30,000 --> 00:55:32,560 or suspected that they were under police surveillance.' 1042 00:55:32,600 --> 00:55:36,000 Ross knew how to play the system. 1043 00:55:36,000 --> 00:55:36,360 Ross knew how to play the system. 1044 00:55:36,400 --> 00:55:41,320 He was able to stay ahead of the justice system in Canada. 1045 00:55:43,040 --> 00:55:44,000 It was embarrassing and you had to ask yourself 1046 00:55:44,000 --> 00:55:45,360 It was embarrassing and you had to ask yourself 1047 00:55:45,400 --> 00:55:48,520 what was wrong with the Canadians that they couldn't get this guy? 1048 00:55:48,560 --> 00:55:51,760 He's been around for 20 years doing drugs in Montreal. 1049 00:55:51,800 --> 00:55:52,000 Nobody had the answer at the time. 1050 00:55:52,000 --> 00:55:55,840 Nobody had the answer at the time. 1051 00:55:55,880 --> 00:56:00,000 And nobody believed at the time that it could possibly be 1052 00:56:00,000 --> 00:56:00,040 And nobody believed at the time that it could possibly be 1053 00:56:00,080 --> 00:56:01,760 who it ended up being. 1054 00:56:13,120 --> 00:56:16,000 'Sidney Leithman, lawyer, and specialist in defending 1055 00:56:16,000 --> 00:56:16,040 'Sidney Leithman, lawyer, and specialist in defending 1056 00:56:16,080 --> 00:56:18,640 against major crime charges.' 1057 00:56:18,680 --> 00:56:23,920 'Does any one of you know of a murder that hasn't happened yet? 1058 00:56:23,960 --> 00:56:24,000 Somebody who is a victim that, in your opinion, 1059 00:56:24,000 --> 00:56:27,800 Somebody who is a victim that, in your opinion, 1060 00:56:27,840 --> 00:56:29,320 is going to be killed?' 1061 00:56:31,320 --> 00:56:32,000 'I'm not going to answer that.' 1062 00:56:32,000 --> 00:56:33,040 'I'm not going to answer that.' 1063 00:56:33,080 --> 00:56:35,840 'If you wanted a lawyer killed, how much do you think 1064 00:56:35,880 --> 00:56:37,800 you would have to have in the bank to get it done?' 1065 00:56:37,840 --> 00:56:40,000 'I wouldn't even think. I wouldn't know.' 1066 00:56:40,000 --> 00:56:40,040 'I wouldn't even think. I wouldn't know.' 1067 00:56:41,480 --> 00:56:45,120 There's a basic rule for journalists and lawyers 1068 00:56:45,160 --> 00:56:48,000 when dealing with underworld guys, you don't get too close. 1069 00:56:48,000 --> 00:56:48,680 when dealing with underworld guys, you don't get too close. 1070 00:56:48,720 --> 00:56:53,400 Nothing is personal here, you don't go out and drink with them. 1071 00:56:53,440 --> 00:56:56,000 You don't get involved in anything they are involved with, 1072 00:56:56,000 --> 00:56:57,560 You don't get involved in anything they are involved with, 1073 00:56:57,600 --> 00:57:00,480 that sort of thing. You keep your distance. You do it 1074 00:57:00,520 --> 00:57:04,000 for your own safety. And, uh, Leithman didn't understand that. 1075 00:57:04,000 --> 00:57:06,400 for your own safety. And, uh, Leithman didn't understand that. 1076 00:57:08,480 --> 00:57:11,160 We look for the crooked lawyers, we look for the crooked cops 1077 00:57:11,200 --> 00:57:12,000 and Leithman was in our sights. 1078 00:57:12,000 --> 00:57:12,880 and Leithman was in our sights. 1079 00:57:13,880 --> 00:57:19,200 He was an important appendage to Ross's organisation. 1080 00:57:19,240 --> 00:57:20,000 He's the guy that told witnesses to keep their mouth shut, 1081 00:57:20,000 --> 00:57:21,800 He's the guy that told witnesses to keep their mouth shut, 1082 00:57:21,840 --> 00:57:25,800 he's the one that made the deals with witnesses, that if you keep your mouth shut 1083 00:57:25,840 --> 00:57:28,000 you'll get paid, the guy that advised Ross, when he had a problem, who was talking. 1084 00:57:28,000 --> 00:57:30,760 you'll get paid, the guy that advised Ross, when he had a problem, who was talking. 1085 00:57:32,400 --> 00:57:36,000 He is no longer a defence lawyer, he is a felon 1086 00:57:36,000 --> 00:57:36,440 He is no longer a defence lawyer, he is a felon 1087 00:57:36,480 --> 00:57:39,320 conspiring to obstruct justice. 1088 00:57:40,440 --> 00:57:43,240 'He made headlines taking on Colombian cartel characters 1089 00:57:43,280 --> 00:57:44,000 as clients and usually got them off.' 1090 00:57:44,000 --> 00:57:45,840 as clients and usually got them off.' 1091 00:57:46,760 --> 00:57:50,920 He was very well liked by the cartels down in Colombia. 1092 00:57:52,360 --> 00:57:55,080 He liked the fact that they would fly him down, 1093 00:57:55,120 --> 00:57:57,720 provide him with money, drugs 1094 00:57:57,760 --> 00:57:59,760 and women, whatever he wanted. 1095 00:58:01,280 --> 00:58:04,480 I think that Leithman got sucked into a couple of files 1096 00:58:04,520 --> 00:58:07,840 with the Colombians for the money, then he got too deep. 1097 00:58:07,880 --> 00:58:08,000 There were rumours that he was doing coke himself 1098 00:58:08,000 --> 00:58:11,000 There were rumours that he was doing coke himself 1099 00:58:11,040 --> 00:58:14,680 and if you have an addiction to any kind of drugs, you become less trusted. 1100 00:58:18,200 --> 00:58:21,400 'Police intercepted a cargo plane from Medellin, Colombia. 1101 00:58:21,440 --> 00:58:23,320 It contained half a ton of cocaine.' 1102 00:58:24,640 --> 00:58:30,200 By 1989, the Colombians were starting to lose faith on Leithman. 1103 00:58:32,640 --> 00:58:35,440 He was losing cases. 1104 00:58:35,480 --> 00:58:38,120 They were blaming Leithman for the fact 1105 00:58:38,160 --> 00:58:40,000 they had lost millions of dollars in the cocaine being seized. 1106 00:58:40,000 --> 00:58:41,400 they had lost millions of dollars in the cocaine being seized. 1107 00:58:44,520 --> 00:58:47,120 His dealings with those types of people, 1108 00:58:47,160 --> 00:58:48,000 I mean, if you're doing court cases, you'd better win them. 1109 00:58:48,000 --> 00:58:49,640 I mean, if you're doing court cases, you'd better win them. 1110 00:58:49,680 --> 00:58:51,240 And he wasn't winning them. 1111 00:58:52,800 --> 00:58:56,000 There was this sense with him of making promises he can't keep 1112 00:58:56,000 --> 00:58:56,800 There was this sense with him of making promises he can't keep 1113 00:58:56,840 --> 00:59:00,760 and just a man who you could no longer trust. 1114 00:59:00,800 --> 00:59:04,000 And in that world, if you can no longer trust somebody, 1115 00:59:04,000 --> 00:59:05,040 And in that world, if you can no longer trust somebody, 1116 00:59:05,080 --> 00:59:06,200 that's the end. 1117 00:59:11,960 --> 00:59:12,000 'Sidney Leithman was just five blocks from his house 1118 00:59:12,000 --> 00:59:14,840 'Sidney Leithman was just five blocks from his house 1119 00:59:14,880 --> 00:59:18,640 when he was shot in the head this morning. Family members were on the scene quickly, 1120 00:59:18,680 --> 00:59:20,000 shocked, standing barefoot in the street. 1121 00:59:20,000 --> 00:59:21,440 shocked, standing barefoot in the street. 1122 00:59:21,480 --> 00:59:24,280 Investigators found some shell casings on the ground 1123 00:59:24,320 --> 00:59:26,680 and they found a bullet in the grass opposite the car. 1124 00:59:26,720 --> 00:59:28,000 They say it went through the passenger side car window, 1125 00:59:28,000 --> 00:59:29,640 They say it went through the passenger side car window, 1126 00:59:29,680 --> 00:59:32,040 hit Leithman, went through the driver's side window 1127 00:59:32,080 --> 00:59:34,360 and then came to a scorching stop in the grass.' 1128 00:59:36,400 --> 00:59:41,400 To this day, we have no idea who killed Sidney Leithman. 1129 00:59:44,240 --> 00:59:50,240 This was a man who was involved with so many different underworld figures in his life. 1130 00:59:51,400 --> 00:59:52,000 You never know when or where or from whom 1131 00:59:52,000 --> 00:59:54,480 You never know when or where or from whom 1132 00:59:54,520 --> 00:59:56,200 the bullet is going to come. 1133 00:59:58,080 --> 01:00:00,000 He'd been involved with the Columbians, with the Mafia 1134 01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:01,400 He'd been involved with the Columbians, with the Mafia 1135 01:00:01,440 --> 01:00:03,040 and with the Hell's Angels. 1136 01:00:03,080 --> 01:00:06,720 And of course he was also deeply involved with the West End Gang 1137 01:00:06,760 --> 01:00:08,000 and Allan Ross. 1138 01:00:08,000 --> 01:00:09,040 and Allan Ross. 1139 01:00:12,720 --> 01:00:16,000 Did he offend somebody, did he go too far? 1140 01:00:16,000 --> 01:00:16,320 Did he offend somebody, did he go too far? 1141 01:00:17,840 --> 01:00:21,200 Was he working too much with the competition? 1142 01:00:21,240 --> 01:00:24,000 You just never know, that's why it's the underworld. 1143 01:00:24,000 --> 01:00:24,880 You just never know, that's why it's the underworld. 1144 01:00:29,840 --> 01:00:32,000 So unless somebody actually comes out and confesses, 1145 01:00:32,000 --> 01:00:33,480 So unless somebody actually comes out and confesses, 1146 01:00:33,520 --> 01:00:36,920 I'm not sure we will ever find out what the real story is 1147 01:00:36,960 --> 01:00:39,080 behind Sidney Leithman's death. 1148 01:00:52,200 --> 01:00:56,000 In the summer of '92 I was working for the CBC TV programme 1149 01:00:56,000 --> 01:00:56,040 In the summer of '92 I was working for the CBC TV programme 1150 01:00:56,080 --> 01:00:57,400 'The Fifth Estate.' 1151 01:00:57,440 --> 01:01:01,320 It's the Canadian equivalent to '60 Minutes,' 1152 01:01:01,360 --> 01:01:04,000 it's a great investigative TV show. 1153 01:01:04,000 --> 01:01:04,200 it's a great investigative TV show. 1154 01:01:06,880 --> 01:01:10,440 My job was to develop stories and there were some interesting developments going on 1155 01:01:10,480 --> 01:01:12,000 with the drug trade and the West End Gang. 1156 01:01:12,000 --> 01:01:12,760 with the drug trade and the West End Gang. 1157 01:01:13,920 --> 01:01:16,560 Dan has great contacts with the police, 1158 01:01:16,600 --> 01:01:19,880 but he also has great contacts with the crime community. 1159 01:01:19,920 --> 01:01:20,000 So when Dan Burke comes to me and says, "Hey, we should do 1160 01:01:20,000 --> 01:01:23,280 So when Dan Burke comes to me and says, "Hey, we should do 1161 01:01:23,320 --> 01:01:26,640 the story on the West End Gang, it was a natural 1162 01:01:26,680 --> 01:01:28,000 for us to work on it together. 1163 01:01:28,000 --> 01:01:28,800 for us to work on it together. 1164 01:01:29,800 --> 01:01:33,640 How is it that Allan Ross gets away for so many years 1165 01:01:33,680 --> 01:01:36,000 being one of the most powerful drug traffickers in North America? 1166 01:01:36,000 --> 01:01:37,400 being one of the most powerful drug traffickers in North America? 1167 01:01:37,440 --> 01:01:42,760 It doesn't take Dan long to begin to hear whispers. 1168 01:01:42,800 --> 01:01:44,000 Everybody knew Allan Ross was a criminal and a crime boss. 1169 01:01:44,000 --> 01:01:48,600 Everybody knew Allan Ross was a criminal and a crime boss. 1170 01:01:48,640 --> 01:01:52,000 The question was, why wasn't he getting arrested? 1171 01:01:52,000 --> 01:01:52,240 The question was, why wasn't he getting arrested? 1172 01:01:52,280 --> 01:01:55,000 And the key there was Sidney Leithman. 1173 01:01:56,880 --> 01:02:00,000 So then the question was, who did Sidney Leithman have 1174 01:02:00,000 --> 01:02:00,560 So then the question was, who did Sidney Leithman have 1175 01:02:00,600 --> 01:02:03,320 in the police and the judiciary? 1176 01:02:03,360 --> 01:02:06,280 When big boys don't get arrested, it's because they have friends. 1177 01:02:06,320 --> 01:02:08,000 It was standard fare for us. It wasn't a big question mark. 1178 01:02:08,000 --> 01:02:11,920 It was standard fare for us. It wasn't a big question mark. 1179 01:02:11,960 --> 01:02:14,840 The question mark was who, not if. 1180 01:02:18,360 --> 01:02:21,600 You can probably investigate Montreal for corruption 1181 01:02:21,640 --> 01:02:24,000 at any point in history and have several stories. 1182 01:02:24,000 --> 01:02:25,880 at any point in history and have several stories. 1183 01:02:25,920 --> 01:02:31,480 But I was left with the impression that it was unusual 1184 01:02:31,520 --> 01:02:32,000 how they were operating at the RCMP drug squad in Montreal under Savoie. 1185 01:02:32,000 --> 01:02:35,680 how they were operating at the RCMP drug squad in Montreal under Savoie. 1186 01:02:39,480 --> 01:02:40,000 'So this confirmed to us, because you have to have 1187 01:02:40,000 --> 01:02:42,440 'So this confirmed to us, because you have to have 1188 01:02:42,480 --> 01:02:46,440 some evidence to believe something...' Claude Savoie for many years 1189 01:02:46,480 --> 01:02:48,000 was the head of the RCMP drug squad. 1190 01:02:48,000 --> 01:02:48,760 was the head of the RCMP drug squad. 1191 01:02:48,800 --> 01:02:52,480 So we're journalists, we go wherever the leads lead us. 1192 01:02:55,080 --> 01:02:56,000 Claude Savoie and I met at an office 1193 01:02:56,000 --> 01:02:58,040 Claude Savoie and I met at an office 1194 01:02:58,080 --> 01:03:03,720 at the RCMP headquarters. And I had a two-hour conversation with him. 1195 01:03:06,600 --> 01:03:09,320 I got the sense that he was a little nervous, 1196 01:03:09,360 --> 01:03:11,080 a little exasperated. 1197 01:03:14,120 --> 01:03:15,320 Under pressure. 1198 01:03:34,800 --> 01:03:36,000 Well, everybody in the world knew Allan Ross was a problem. 1199 01:03:36,000 --> 01:03:38,040 Well, everybody in the world knew Allan Ross was a problem. 1200 01:03:38,080 --> 01:03:42,800 And this guy is telling me "Well, Allan Ross isn't a problem." 1201 01:03:42,840 --> 01:03:44,000 Jeez. You don't even have to be a cop to know that. 1202 01:03:44,000 --> 01:03:47,120 Jeez. You don't even have to be a cop to know that. 1203 01:03:47,160 --> 01:03:51,480 So if Allan Ross isn't a problem, 1204 01:03:51,520 --> 01:03:52,000 then maybe Claude Savoie is a problem, you know? 1205 01:03:52,000 --> 01:03:54,560 then maybe Claude Savoie is a problem, you know? 1206 01:03:56,440 --> 01:04:00,000 'This is RCMP Inspector Claude Savoie in late 1990 1207 01:04:00,000 --> 01:04:00,560 'This is RCMP Inspector Claude Savoie in late 1990 1208 01:04:00,600 --> 01:04:04,400 when he was head of the RCMP drug squad in Montreal. 1209 01:04:04,440 --> 01:04:08,000 He's talking about why the police were losing ground to drug dealers.' 1210 01:04:08,000 --> 01:04:08,320 He's talking about why the police were losing ground to drug dealers.' 1211 01:04:08,360 --> 01:04:11,640 'Well, I am not sure I can answer that question. 1212 01:04:11,680 --> 01:04:14,960 Because if I could answer that question, we could probably solve the problem 1213 01:04:15,000 --> 01:04:16,000 and unfortunately we're not doing a good job at solving the problem right now.' 1214 01:04:16,000 --> 01:04:18,160 and unfortunately we're not doing a good job at solving the problem right now.' 1215 01:04:18,200 --> 01:04:24,000 Not a doubt in my mind that Claude Savoie would do anything 1216 01:04:24,040 --> 01:04:28,360 illegal or hurt the RCMP or hurt law enforcement, period. 1217 01:04:28,400 --> 01:04:31,720 He had a family and he was just a good guy. 1218 01:04:31,760 --> 01:04:32,000 We start meeting with police sources, 1219 01:04:32,000 --> 01:04:34,800 We start meeting with police sources, 1220 01:04:34,840 --> 01:04:38,960 who are careful, because they are police. 1221 01:04:39,000 --> 01:04:40,000 But they encourage us to keep digging. 1222 01:04:40,000 --> 01:04:42,360 But they encourage us to keep digging. 1223 01:04:42,400 --> 01:04:47,040 I asked Savoie about his relationship with Leithman. 1224 01:05:13,840 --> 01:05:16,480 Well, he does acknowledge the relationship 1225 01:05:16,520 --> 01:05:19,800 with Sidney Leithman, because that was true. 1226 01:05:19,840 --> 01:05:20,000 They were strange bedfellows. 1227 01:05:20,000 --> 01:05:22,480 They were strange bedfellows. 1228 01:05:24,080 --> 01:05:28,000 We keep digging and we find out that Claude Savoie 1229 01:05:28,000 --> 01:05:28,320 We keep digging and we find out that Claude Savoie 1230 01:05:28,360 --> 01:05:33,760 meets in a downtown restaurant with Allan Ross and Sidney Leithman. 1231 01:05:33,800 --> 01:05:36,000 Then we find out from a source that right above that restaurant 1232 01:05:36,000 --> 01:05:39,120 Then we find out from a source that right above that restaurant 1233 01:05:39,160 --> 01:05:44,000 is Sidney Leithman's office and Claude Savoie meets alone 1234 01:05:44,000 --> 01:05:44,200 is Sidney Leithman's office and Claude Savoie meets alone 1235 01:05:44,240 --> 01:05:45,760 with Allan Ross. 1236 01:05:45,800 --> 01:05:50,240 I know the guy is not going to confess to me, there is no way. 1237 01:05:51,160 --> 01:05:52,000 So I try to find out if he's lying, 1238 01:05:52,000 --> 01:05:55,600 So I try to find out if he's lying, 1239 01:05:55,640 --> 01:05:58,000 if I can prove that he's lying about something. 1240 01:05:58,040 --> 01:06:00,000 And I asked him, "How many times did you meet with Allan Ross?" 1241 01:06:00,000 --> 01:06:02,640 And I asked him, "How many times did you meet with Allan Ross?" 1242 01:06:02,680 --> 01:06:05,360 and he told me once. 1243 01:06:05,400 --> 01:06:08,000 And I said to him, "Just once?" and he said, "Yeah, just once." 1244 01:06:08,000 --> 01:06:08,880 And I said to him, "Just once?" and he said, "Yeah, just once." 1245 01:06:08,920 --> 01:06:11,720 I knew it was two times, 1246 01:06:11,760 --> 01:06:13,720 so he's lying. 1247 01:06:13,760 --> 01:06:16,000 Why is he lying? It's a symptom of corruption. 1248 01:06:16,000 --> 01:06:17,920 Why is he lying? It's a symptom of corruption. 1249 01:06:17,960 --> 01:06:20,440 The lie is a symptom of corruption. 1250 01:06:23,280 --> 01:06:24,000 What access to information that gave Allan Ross! 1251 01:06:24,000 --> 01:06:26,800 What access to information that gave Allan Ross! 1252 01:06:26,840 --> 01:06:28,840 That was astounding. 1253 01:06:28,880 --> 01:06:30,600 I mean, I've seen lots of corrupt cops 1254 01:06:30,640 --> 01:06:32,000 in the United States, but I've never seen anyone at that level. 1255 01:06:32,000 --> 01:06:34,600 in the United States, but I've never seen anyone at that level. 1256 01:06:34,640 --> 01:06:36,880 That was something. That was extraordinary. 1257 01:06:40,080 --> 01:06:42,320 Allan Ross has a base in Florida. 1258 01:06:42,360 --> 01:06:44,720 He's got a condo down there, he's got a yacht. 1259 01:06:44,760 --> 01:06:46,480 He conducts business down in Florida. 1260 01:06:46,520 --> 01:06:48,000 He has to know what the Americans have on him. 1261 01:06:48,000 --> 01:06:49,840 He has to know what the Americans have on him. 1262 01:06:51,720 --> 01:06:55,000 But by May 1991, Sidney Leithman gets whacked, 1263 01:06:55,040 --> 01:06:56,000 so Allan Ross doesn't have a choice. He's gotta deal directly 1264 01:06:56,000 --> 01:06:58,440 so Allan Ross doesn't have a choice. He's gotta deal directly 1265 01:06:58,480 --> 01:07:02,000 with his man inside the RCMP, Claude Savoie. 1266 01:07:03,960 --> 01:07:04,000 He is Allan Ross's friend inside law enforcement. 1267 01:07:04,000 --> 01:07:07,240 He is Allan Ross's friend inside law enforcement. 1268 01:07:07,280 --> 01:07:10,880 And Savoie calls out of the blue asking us all these questions, 1269 01:07:10,920 --> 01:07:12,000 and he's asking questions he should not be asking. 1270 01:07:12,000 --> 01:07:14,120 and he's asking questions he should not be asking. 1271 01:07:14,160 --> 01:07:17,720 He's trying to find out information on a grand jury indictment 1272 01:07:17,760 --> 01:07:19,880 which is secret. It is sealed by a court. 1273 01:07:19,920 --> 01:07:20,000 He was trying to use his status as a Mountie to get information 1274 01:07:20,000 --> 01:07:24,160 He was trying to use his status as a Mountie to get information 1275 01:07:24,200 --> 01:07:26,360 from federal agents in Florida. 1276 01:07:28,160 --> 01:07:32,160 Claude Savoie tells Allan Ross the Americans are looking for him. 1277 01:07:32,200 --> 01:07:36,000 Yet Ross still goes down to Florida. Why would he do that? 1278 01:07:36,000 --> 01:07:36,840 Yet Ross still goes down to Florida. Why would he do that? 1279 01:07:38,040 --> 01:07:39,640 He was arrogant. 1280 01:07:39,680 --> 01:07:44,000 He thought he could get away with it because he had gotten away with it so many times. 1281 01:07:44,000 --> 01:07:44,840 He thought he could get away with it because he had gotten away with it so many times. 1282 01:07:44,880 --> 01:07:47,680 We got our guys in Montreal watching him to alert us 1283 01:07:47,720 --> 01:07:49,800 when he actually does come down. 1284 01:07:50,920 --> 01:07:52,000 And sure enough he came to Florida. Huge mistake. 1285 01:07:52,000 --> 01:07:54,640 And sure enough he came to Florida. Huge mistake. 1286 01:07:59,200 --> 01:08:00,000 'This US Marshall shows us how on October 7th 1991, 1287 01:08:00,000 --> 01:08:03,760 'This US Marshall shows us how on October 7th 1991, 1288 01:08:03,800 --> 01:08:06,760 he arrested Canada's biggest drug baron.' 1289 01:08:06,800 --> 01:08:08,000 'I came behind him like this with my gun out here, advising him, 1290 01:08:08,000 --> 01:08:09,800 'I came behind him like this with my gun out here, advising him, 1291 01:08:09,840 --> 01:08:12,720 "Broward Sheriff Office, put your hands on top of your head." 1292 01:08:12,760 --> 01:08:15,640 As we were just about to the Marshal's office where I was taking him, 1293 01:08:15,680 --> 01:08:16,000 he told me or he said to me, "Well, it would sure be nice 1294 01:08:16,000 --> 01:08:19,400 he told me or he said to me, "Well, it would sure be nice 1295 01:08:19,440 --> 01:08:21,800 if I could give you like $200,000 and you'd let me go." 1296 01:08:21,840 --> 01:08:24,000 Not that I would. He said it in a way that I couldn't get him with bribery, 1297 01:08:24,000 --> 01:08:25,360 Not that I would. He said it in a way that I couldn't get him with bribery, 1298 01:08:25,400 --> 01:08:29,120 but I had no doubt if I had said OK, I'd be $200,000 richer right now.' 1299 01:08:30,720 --> 01:08:32,000 The trial is one of those classic scenes. 1300 01:08:32,000 --> 01:08:33,440 The trial is one of those classic scenes. 1301 01:08:33,480 --> 01:08:35,880 We're trying him in a small federal court 1302 01:08:35,920 --> 01:08:40,000 in Gainesville, Florida. We had looked at Allan Ross's history of violence 1303 01:08:40,000 --> 01:08:40,120 in Gainesville, Florida. We had looked at Allan Ross's history of violence 1304 01:08:40,160 --> 01:08:44,240 and we brought in a special team from the U.S. Marshall service. 1305 01:08:44,280 --> 01:08:47,280 We've got dogs, dope dogs, bomb dogs, 1306 01:08:47,320 --> 01:08:48,000 we've got snipers on the roof of the courthouse 1307 01:08:48,000 --> 01:08:50,120 we've got snipers on the roof of the courthouse 1308 01:08:50,160 --> 01:08:55,560 to make sure that he does not interrupt this trial. 1309 01:08:58,200 --> 01:09:02,120 When you're in the courthouse seeing a guy who is responsible 1310 01:09:02,160 --> 01:09:04,000 for ordering numerous murders over the years, 1311 01:09:04,000 --> 01:09:06,760 for ordering numerous murders over the years, 1312 01:09:06,800 --> 01:09:09,240 you sort of go in there and you're looking for something, 1313 01:09:09,280 --> 01:09:12,000 something in the man's face in a way that will reveal 1314 01:09:12,000 --> 01:09:13,760 something in the man's face in a way that will reveal 1315 01:09:13,800 --> 01:09:18,200 this person in his full gangster glory 1316 01:09:18,240 --> 01:09:20,000 and you're always disappointed. 1317 01:09:20,000 --> 01:09:20,200 and you're always disappointed. 1318 01:09:20,240 --> 01:09:23,280 There's nothing there, there's just nothing there. 1319 01:09:25,040 --> 01:09:28,000 'Ross was found guilty of conspiring to import and traffic 1320 01:09:28,000 --> 01:09:28,400 'Ross was found guilty of conspiring to import and traffic 1321 01:09:28,440 --> 01:09:33,360 over 10,000 kilos of cocaine and 300 tons of marijuana.' 1322 01:09:45,760 --> 01:09:50,000 It's Monday, December 21st, 1992, 1323 01:09:50,040 --> 01:09:52,000 just a few days before Christmas, there is snow on the ground, 1324 01:09:52,000 --> 01:09:55,000 just a few days before Christmas, there is snow on the ground, 1325 01:09:55,040 --> 01:09:58,680 you got Santa Claus all over the streets, 1326 01:09:58,720 --> 01:10:00,000 and the lights and the Christmas trees, 1327 01:10:00,000 --> 01:10:00,880 and the lights and the Christmas trees, 1328 01:10:00,920 --> 01:10:04,560 and two internal investigators of the RCMP show up 1329 01:10:04,600 --> 01:10:08,000 at Ottawa headquarters. They want to speak to Claude Savoie. 1330 01:10:08,000 --> 01:10:08,960 at Ottawa headquarters. They want to speak to Claude Savoie. 1331 01:10:10,920 --> 01:10:14,320 The RCMP knows we're going to air on Tuesday, they know 1332 01:10:14,360 --> 01:10:16,000 what we're investigating and on Monday morning, of all the days in the year, 1333 01:10:16,000 --> 01:10:18,400 what we're investigating and on Monday morning, of all the days in the year, 1334 01:10:18,440 --> 01:10:21,280 of all the time they are investigating Savoie, 1335 01:10:21,320 --> 01:10:24,000 they go meet Claude Savoie on the Monday before we go to air. 1336 01:10:24,000 --> 01:10:24,480 they go meet Claude Savoie on the Monday before we go to air. 1337 01:10:26,880 --> 01:10:31,160 They go into a room and they want Savoie to come into that room. 1338 01:10:31,200 --> 01:10:32,000 You know, the room is ready to tape, video, the whole thing, 1339 01:10:32,000 --> 01:10:34,240 You know, the room is ready to tape, video, the whole thing, 1340 01:10:34,280 --> 01:10:35,280 for this interview. 1341 01:10:38,120 --> 01:10:40,000 Savoie doesn't show up. They get a little impatient, 1342 01:10:40,000 --> 01:10:41,120 Savoie doesn't show up. They get a little impatient, 1343 01:10:41,160 --> 01:10:44,760 they walk down to his office, 1344 01:10:44,800 --> 01:10:46,800 they open the door... 1345 01:10:48,200 --> 01:10:52,240 .. and they find Savoie sprawled across his desk with a bullet in his head. 1346 01:10:52,280 --> 01:10:54,560 He had shot himself with his service revolver 1347 01:10:54,600 --> 01:10:56,000 which he had wrapped in the sleeve of his jacket 1348 01:10:56,000 --> 01:10:58,160 which he had wrapped in the sleeve of his jacket 1349 01:10:58,200 --> 01:11:00,440 to muffle the noise. 1350 01:11:00,480 --> 01:11:02,280 And that was the end of Savoie. 1351 01:11:03,560 --> 01:11:04,000 'Savoie killed himself shortly before he was supposed to meet with 1352 01:11:04,000 --> 01:11:07,240 'Savoie killed himself shortly before he was supposed to meet with 1353 01:11:07,280 --> 01:11:10,920 internal affairs investigators at RCMP headquarters in Ottawa. 1354 01:11:10,960 --> 01:11:12,000 The CBC's 'The Fifth Estate' had been preparing 1355 01:11:12,000 --> 01:11:14,440 The CBC's 'The Fifth Estate' had been preparing 1356 01:11:14,480 --> 01:11:18,040 an investigative report on the failures of the Montreal drug squad.' 1357 01:11:18,080 --> 01:11:20,000 Wow. That was big news to me, 1358 01:11:20,000 --> 01:11:23,800 Wow. That was big news to me, 1359 01:11:23,840 --> 01:11:26,080 you know. It was a hell of a development. 1360 01:11:27,920 --> 01:11:28,000 At The Fifth Estate we had an expression, "the smoking gun." 1361 01:11:28,000 --> 01:11:31,560 At The Fifth Estate we had an expression, "the smoking gun." 1362 01:11:31,600 --> 01:11:36,000 Well, that might have been the first time ever we had a literal smoking gun. 1363 01:11:36,000 --> 01:11:36,320 Well, that might have been the first time ever we had a literal smoking gun. 1364 01:11:40,400 --> 01:11:44,000 For you, his suicide was proof of Claude Savoie's guilt? 1365 01:11:44,000 --> 01:11:45,680 For you, his suicide was proof of Claude Savoie's guilt? 1366 01:11:48,520 --> 01:11:51,520 Yeah, without a question. I mean, 1367 01:11:51,560 --> 01:11:52,000 obviously the guy couldn't face the music. 1368 01:11:52,000 --> 01:11:54,840 obviously the guy couldn't face the music. 1369 01:11:54,880 --> 01:11:57,120 And that's how it ended for him. 1370 01:11:58,800 --> 01:12:00,000 You don't feel any guilt in that? We were doing our job 1371 01:12:00,000 --> 01:12:02,680 You don't feel any guilt in that? We were doing our job 1372 01:12:02,720 --> 01:12:07,440 as reporters, but if you and I hadn't started the story, 1373 01:12:07,480 --> 01:12:08,000 hadn't investigated the story, Claude Savoie would be alive. 1374 01:12:08,000 --> 01:12:11,360 hadn't investigated the story, Claude Savoie would be alive. 1375 01:12:11,400 --> 01:12:13,520 Do you ever feel any guilt about that? 1376 01:12:14,720 --> 01:12:16,000 No, not at all. 1377 01:12:16,000 --> 01:12:17,440 No, not at all. 1378 01:12:17,480 --> 01:12:20,600 It may seem cold-blooded, but... 1379 01:12:23,480 --> 01:12:24,000 .. yeah, I'd be faking it if I said I felt bad about it. 1380 01:12:24,000 --> 01:12:28,400 .. yeah, I'd be faking it if I said I felt bad about it. 1381 01:12:28,440 --> 01:12:32,000 He made his own bed and, you know... and that's how he decided to lie in it. 1382 01:12:32,000 --> 01:12:34,280 He made his own bed and, you know... and that's how he decided to lie in it. 1383 01:12:36,080 --> 01:12:38,840 He couldn't face it. He just couldn't face it, you know? 1384 01:12:38,880 --> 01:12:40,000 I was shocked at what he did. His guilt, his guilt. 1385 01:12:40,000 --> 01:12:43,880 I was shocked at what he did. His guilt, his guilt. 1386 01:12:43,920 --> 01:12:45,200 Just too much. 1387 01:12:46,720 --> 01:12:48,000 Did he get money off of Leithman, did he put other cops' lives 1388 01:12:48,000 --> 01:12:50,080 Did he get money off of Leithman, did he put other cops' lives 1389 01:12:50,120 --> 01:12:52,560 in danger? Obviously he did. 1390 01:12:52,600 --> 01:12:56,000 He betrayed me, because I was a cop and a friend of his. 1391 01:12:59,080 --> 01:13:02,920 'This is how the Mounties react to allegations of corruption 1392 01:13:02,960 --> 01:13:04,000 within their Montreal drug squad and the suicide of its former commander, 1393 01:13:04,000 --> 01:13:06,880 within their Montreal drug squad and the suicide of its former commander, 1394 01:13:06,920 --> 01:13:09,560 a press release saying they are looking into the matter. 1395 01:13:09,600 --> 01:13:11,000 No questions accepted.' 1396 01:13:17,320 --> 01:13:20,000 They were investigating Claude Savoie. We didn't know that. 1397 01:13:20,000 --> 01:13:21,240 They were investigating Claude Savoie. We didn't know that. 1398 01:13:21,280 --> 01:13:24,600 And they were closing in on him 1399 01:13:24,640 --> 01:13:27,040 and they were worried about our investigation. 1400 01:13:29,920 --> 01:13:33,080 'Suspicion first fell on Inspector Savoie 1401 01:13:33,120 --> 01:13:36,000 after the May, 1991 murder of Sidney Leithman, 1402 01:13:36,000 --> 01:13:36,200 after the May, 1991 murder of Sidney Leithman, 1403 01:13:36,240 --> 01:13:41,120 a Montreal lawyer known for defending and socialising with Colombian drug barons. 1404 01:13:41,160 --> 01:13:44,000 When the police go through his clothes, in his back pocket 1405 01:13:44,000 --> 01:13:45,520 When the police go through his clothes, in his back pocket 1406 01:13:45,560 --> 01:13:48,600 they find a handwritten phone number... 1407 01:13:48,640 --> 01:13:52,000 .. to the guy who heads the RCMP drug squad in Montreal, 1408 01:13:52,000 --> 01:13:53,120 .. to the guy who heads the RCMP drug squad in Montreal, 1409 01:13:53,160 --> 01:13:54,600 Claude Savoie. 1410 01:14:00,480 --> 01:14:05,680 So Savoie is dead, the RCMP continue their investigation 1411 01:14:05,720 --> 01:14:08,000 for another year, they bust into his bank accounts, 1412 01:14:08,000 --> 01:14:09,720 for another year, they bust into his bank accounts, 1413 01:14:09,760 --> 01:14:13,280 his safety deposit boxes. They find $200,000. 1414 01:14:15,360 --> 01:14:16,000 They concluded he had been paid off over time by the West End Gang 1415 01:14:16,000 --> 01:14:19,680 They concluded he had been paid off over time by the West End Gang 1416 01:14:19,720 --> 01:14:20,960 for information. 1417 01:14:24,160 --> 01:14:27,120 The West End Gang felt they were above the law. 1418 01:14:27,160 --> 01:14:31,000 They were corrupting police, corrupting lawyers. 1419 01:14:31,040 --> 01:14:32,000 And in the process they were corrupting the whole system. 1420 01:14:32,000 --> 01:14:35,000 And in the process they were corrupting the whole system. 1421 01:14:35,040 --> 01:14:38,560 The thing with drug organisations, it's not just the drugs, 1422 01:14:38,600 --> 01:14:40,000 the major problem is the power they get from the money. 1423 01:14:40,000 --> 01:14:41,360 the major problem is the power they get from the money. 1424 01:14:41,400 --> 01:14:44,200 These people produced enormous amounts of money. 1425 01:14:44,240 --> 01:14:47,800 Money on this planet is power and power corrupts. 1426 01:14:52,920 --> 01:14:56,000 A lot of the guys who worked for Dunie Ryan are dead. 1427 01:14:56,000 --> 01:14:56,240 A lot of the guys who worked for Dunie Ryan are dead. 1428 01:14:57,520 --> 01:15:00,280 All the guys who killed Dunie Ryan are dead. 1429 01:15:01,280 --> 01:15:04,000 Sidney Leithman is dead, Allan Ross is in jail in the United States. 1430 01:15:04,000 --> 01:15:07,280 Sidney Leithman is dead, Allan Ross is in jail in the United States. 1431 01:15:09,560 --> 01:15:12,000 There's been a cleansing, a pretty bloody cleansing 1432 01:15:12,000 --> 01:15:13,440 There's been a cleansing, a pretty bloody cleansing 1433 01:15:13,480 --> 01:15:19,360 of the West End Gang, and the man who rises out of that pool 1434 01:15:19,400 --> 01:15:20,000 is Gerry Matticks. 1435 01:15:20,000 --> 01:15:21,120 is Gerry Matticks. 1436 01:15:22,200 --> 01:15:25,520 Either he must have felt really lucky or he felt invincible 1437 01:15:25,560 --> 01:15:28,000 and he's operating now at the highest levels, 1438 01:15:28,000 --> 01:15:29,600 and he's operating now at the highest levels, 1439 01:15:29,640 --> 01:15:33,720 he is talking to the highest people in the Hell's Angels and that I think was his downfall. 1440 01:15:41,760 --> 01:15:43,880 'Police fanned out across the province, 1441 01:15:43,920 --> 01:15:44,000 swooping down and arresting 120 bikers and their associates.' 1442 01:15:44,000 --> 01:15:47,440 swooping down and arresting 120 bikers and their associates.' 1443 01:15:49,840 --> 01:15:52,000 '560 police officer involved in 70 raids across the province 1444 01:15:52,000 --> 01:15:54,080 '560 police officer involved in 70 raids across the province 1445 01:15:54,120 --> 01:15:55,880 in 24 municipalities.' 1446 01:15:57,240 --> 01:15:59,920 The police arrested Gerry Matticks in 2001. 1447 01:16:01,960 --> 01:16:06,680 'We believe with these arrests, the West End Gang 1448 01:16:06,720 --> 01:16:08,000 is mainly out of order for a while.' 1449 01:16:08,000 --> 01:16:09,720 is mainly out of order for a while.' 1450 01:16:15,040 --> 01:16:16,000 The guys still around that I interviewed from the West End Gang, 1451 01:16:16,000 --> 01:16:18,600 The guys still around that I interviewed from the West End Gang, 1452 01:16:18,640 --> 01:16:20,880 they were kinda sad. They were kinda sad, 1453 01:16:20,920 --> 01:16:24,000 because a large part of their life had been spent in prison. 1454 01:16:24,000 --> 01:16:24,440 because a large part of their life had been spent in prison. 1455 01:16:25,720 --> 01:16:28,240 They were not happy people. 1456 01:16:29,120 --> 01:16:32,000 They would say, "Yeah, that was exciting at times, 1457 01:16:32,000 --> 01:16:32,280 They would say, "Yeah, that was exciting at times, 1458 01:16:32,320 --> 01:16:35,320 but it wasn't worth it. It was not worth it." 1459 01:16:42,080 --> 01:16:45,600 It was a world that I think a lot of people got messed up with. 1460 01:16:45,640 --> 01:16:48,000 Yeah, of course. A lot of individuals. 1461 01:16:48,000 --> 01:16:48,280 Yeah, of course. A lot of individuals. 1462 01:16:48,320 --> 01:16:50,640 It's a sad story. A lot of sad stories. 1463 01:16:50,680 --> 01:16:54,240 You know, it's sad, there are no more old guys any more. 1464 01:16:54,280 --> 01:16:56,000 They are mostly all gone. Most of the guys are gone. 1465 01:16:56,000 --> 01:16:57,840 They are mostly all gone. Most of the guys are gone. 1466 01:16:57,880 --> 01:17:00,320 I walked away and never went back. 1467 01:17:00,360 --> 01:17:03,560 I knew that if I ever went back I would stay there. 1468 01:17:06,520 --> 01:17:08,880 I became a drug addict. 1469 01:17:08,920 --> 01:17:11,440 But I might have become a drug addict anyway. 1470 01:17:11,480 --> 01:17:12,000 It's been a roller-coaster, my life. But look at me now. 1471 01:17:12,000 --> 01:17:15,920 It's been a roller-coaster, my life. But look at me now. 1472 01:17:15,960 --> 01:17:18,160 I could beat the devil. 1473 01:17:21,680 --> 01:17:26,240 Yeah, I did my bit, and that was being a responsible journalist. 1474 01:17:26,280 --> 01:17:28,000 And, uh... 1475 01:17:28,000 --> 01:17:28,280 And, uh... 1476 01:17:48,520 --> 01:17:51,560 Looking at it now, I realise there was so much violence, 1477 01:17:51,600 --> 01:17:52,000 but I wasn't thinking that when I was growing up. 1478 01:17:52,000 --> 01:17:53,920 but I wasn't thinking that when I was growing up. 1479 01:17:58,720 --> 01:17:59,720 I'm OK. 1480 01:18:03,560 --> 01:18:07,720 Pursuing education became my ticket out of poverty 1481 01:18:07,760 --> 01:18:08,000 and then I became a writer and ended up writing two books 1482 01:18:08,000 --> 01:18:11,000 and then I became a writer and ended up writing two books 1483 01:18:11,040 --> 01:18:12,760 about growing up in the neighbourhood. 1484 01:18:16,680 --> 01:18:19,160 Some of the gang members found out about the book 1485 01:18:19,200 --> 01:18:22,000 and were really upset and were sending me 1486 01:18:22,040 --> 01:18:24,000 all kinds of threatening emails. I thought, "Kiss my ass." 1487 01:18:24,000 --> 01:18:25,400 all kinds of threatening emails. I thought, "Kiss my ass." 1488 01:18:41,320 --> 01:18:45,520 Was it worth it, what I did, was it really worth it what I did? 1489 01:18:47,080 --> 01:18:48,000 I don't think so. 1490 01:18:48,000 --> 01:18:48,520 I don't think so. 1491 01:18:50,040 --> 01:18:53,800 It's worth it for some people, if I succeeded in helping some people, 1492 01:18:53,840 --> 01:18:56,000 then that's what the worth is all about. The rest, you won't change the system. 1493 01:18:56,000 --> 01:18:58,560 then that's what the worth is all about. The rest, you won't change the system. 1494 01:18:58,600 --> 01:19:01,520 They don't want somebody like me. 1495 01:19:03,840 --> 01:19:04,000 The system doesn't give a shit about me, you know. 1496 01:19:04,000 --> 01:19:06,920 The system doesn't give a shit about me, you know. 1497 01:19:06,960 --> 01:19:09,480 That's what I think. It doesn't care. 1498 01:19:20,360 --> 01:19:23,840 When it comes to the underworld, this is the way the story always ends, 1499 01:19:23,880 --> 01:19:28,000 all the people are either dead or in prison. 1500 01:19:28,000 --> 01:19:28,800 all the people are either dead or in prison. 1501 01:19:30,360 --> 01:19:33,440 If there was anything special about the West End Gang, 1502 01:19:33,480 --> 01:19:36,000 it is the speed at which they rose and the speed at which they fell. 1503 01:19:36,000 --> 01:19:36,960 it is the speed at which they rose and the speed at which they fell. 1504 01:19:37,000 --> 01:19:40,720 Through their own hubris, through their own violence, 1505 01:19:40,760 --> 01:19:44,000 they fell just as fast as they rose. 1506 01:19:44,000 --> 01:19:44,320 they fell just as fast as they rose. 1507 01:19:44,360 --> 01:19:47,840 And it happened almost overnight in the annals of crime history. 1508 01:19:51,760 --> 01:19:52,000 The West End Gang thrived because of powerful leaders 1509 01:19:52,000 --> 01:19:55,400 The West End Gang thrived because of powerful leaders 1510 01:19:55,440 --> 01:19:58,840 like Dunie Ryan, Allan Ross, Gerry Matticks. 1511 01:19:58,880 --> 01:20:00,000 They needed those kinds of leaders who had the connections, 1512 01:20:00,000 --> 01:20:02,360 They needed those kinds of leaders who had the connections, 1513 01:20:02,400 --> 01:20:07,120 the violence, the willingness to do anything to hold on to power. 1514 01:20:08,000 --> 01:20:12,080 When those leaders were gone, you still had some Irish gangsters 1515 01:20:12,120 --> 01:20:16,000 working at the port, but they could never recapture that old glory. 1516 01:20:16,000 --> 01:20:16,520 working at the port, but they could never recapture that old glory. 1517 01:20:24,160 --> 01:20:26,840 When you have a city that has a major port, 1518 01:20:26,880 --> 01:20:30,800 you're always going to have one crime gang that's gonna rise to the top. 1519 01:20:30,840 --> 01:20:32,000 It's just a matter of who's the king. 1520 01:20:32,000 --> 01:20:33,360 It's just a matter of who's the king. 1521 01:20:34,640 --> 01:20:37,920 Nobody wins a whole war in organised crime. 1522 01:20:37,960 --> 01:20:40,000 There is no winner in that. Nothing has changed. 1523 01:20:40,000 --> 01:20:41,520 There is no winner in that. Nothing has changed. 1524 01:20:42,680 --> 01:20:44,040 Nothing has changed. 1525 01:20:45,440 --> 01:20:47,840 'Most illegal drugs coming to Canada 1526 01:20:47,880 --> 01:20:48,000 flow through Quebec.' 1527 01:20:48,000 --> 01:20:48,960 flow through Quebec.' 1528 01:20:49,000 --> 01:20:52,560 '... ce qu'il fait du port, l'endroit ou la crime organise est le plus actif au Quebec.' 1529 01:20:52,600 --> 01:20:55,600 'Former Montreal police officers say they found evidence 1530 01:20:55,640 --> 01:20:56,000 of police corruption within the force 1531 01:20:56,000 --> 01:20:57,240 of police corruption within the force 1532 01:20:57,280 --> 01:20:59,840 and tried to report it.' 'The charges are very serious, 1533 01:20:59,880 --> 01:21:02,600 gangsterism, breach of trust and obstruction of justice.' 1534 01:21:02,640 --> 01:21:04,000 'This network allegedly imported 1.4 tonnes of cocaine.' 1535 01:21:04,000 --> 01:21:07,480 'This network allegedly imported 1.4 tonnes of cocaine.' 1536 01:21:11,360 --> 01:21:12,000 # SHANE MURPHY: 'Dirty Work' 1537 01:21:12,000 --> 01:21:13,840 # SHANE MURPHY: 'Dirty Work' 1538 01:23:02,240 --> 01:23:03,760 AccessibleCustomerService@sky.uk