Pubdate: Tue, 19 Jul 2005
Source: Metro (CN BC)
Copyright: Metro 2005
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Jeff Hodson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers)

ANGELS ARE CROOKS: COPS

Criminal Organization Label Empowers Police

In a precedent-setting move, B.C. law enforcement is publicly alleging
that the Hells Angels is a criminal organization.

The allegations come at the end of an intensive 23-month covert
investigation into the wheelings and dealings of Vancouver's notorious
East End chapter -- an investigation capped by last Friday's arrest of
17 men in twin raids on the club's East Vancouver chapter house and
satellite house in Kelowna.

"This is the first instance, in my knowledge, that the criminal
organization provision of the criminal code has been applied to the
Hells Angels in British Columbia," said RCMP Const. Cam Kowalski.

The importance of the "criminal organization" label is that it allows
Crown prosecutors to charge the men with associating with a criminal
organization -- in addition to a plethora of criminal offences.

The charge is rare and has only been prosecuted a handful of times
across the country. But, if applied successfully, would result in as
many as five additional years in prison for a serious offence.

The investigation, given the code name E-Pandora after the
mythological figure who inadvertently spewed evil into the world, was
a co-operative effort by Vancouver Police, RCMP and the province's
Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.

It resulted in direct indictments against four full-patch members of
the East End chapter, one against a full member of the Vancouver
chapter, and one against a full patch member of the Nomads chapter. In
addition, 10 East End associates and one hang-around member were
arrested. Police are still on the lookout for 24-year-old associate
Kerry Renaud.

E-Pandora also resulted in the closure of two meth labs and the
seizure of more than 20 kilograms of methamphetamine; 20 kilograms of
cocaine; 70 kilograms of marijuana; 250 kilograms of methylamine (an
ingredient in ecstasy); and more than $200,000. Also seized were
handguns, automatic weapons, grenades and dynamite.
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