Pubdate: Tue, 19 Jul 2005
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005, Canoe Inc
Contact:  http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: Irwin Loy
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

POLICE TRUMPET MAJOR BUST

The RCMP says its recent bust of local Hell's Angels chapters is the
most significant in B.C. history.

Eighteen men have been charged as part of an ongoing two-year
investigation into the biker organization. About $7 million of
street-value drugs were seized in weekend raids in Vancouver and
Kelowna, including 20 kg of crystal meth, 20 kg of cocaine, 70 kg of
marijuana and an arsenal of handguns, grenades, silencers and fully
automatic weapons.

But more significantly, says RCMP Const. Cam Kowalski, is the use of
new anti-gang laws in the charges. For the first time in B.C., Hell's
Angels members have been arrested for being a part of a criminal
organization. That will mean if the men are convicted of the charges,
which range from drug trafficking to assault, they could have separate
penalties tacked on to their sentences.

In effect, the Hell's Angels group itself will be put on trial, says
investigative journalist and Hell's Angels expert Julian Sher, who
thinks police and Crown prosecutors will face an uphill battle to convict.

"It's a difficult law to employ," Sher told 24 hours yesterday. "You
have to prove they've done the criminal act, then prove they are
somehow associated with the club. Then you have to prove (their
alleged actions) were done for the benefit of the club. It's a huge,
long, drawn-out process."

But Sher, co-author of The Road to Hell, said the big bust is a sign police
have "got their act together" after ignoring biker gangs for years.	

"Police would be the first to admit for the longest time they
underestimated the seriousness of the Hell's Angels and the threat the
bikers posed. That's no longer the case," Sher said.

Sher estimated there were about 100 Hell's Angels members in B.C. -
the second biggest outside of Ontario. And while wars between rival
biker gangs have made headlines back east, Sher said the Hell's Angels
have prospered in B.C. because they have struck partnerships with
other gangs. 
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