National Overview

Of the 30 known outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs) in Canada, the HELLS ANGELS are by far the most powerful and well-organized. By adding new chapters throughout the country, the HELLS ANGELS continue to dominate local OMGs. Invariably, HELLS ANGELS expansion initiatives translate into local increases in criminal activity such as drug trafficking and the use of violence and intimidation. The HELLS ANGELS is comprised of 214 full-fledged members and 35 prospects, for a total of 249. Notably, 205 members have criminal records, of which 105 are for drug-related offences. The HELLS ANGELS organization remains a national priority for law enforcement in Canada.

Regional Overview

The HELLS ANGELS in British Columbia celebrated their 15th anniversary in July 1998 with the addition of a new chapter, the NOMADS in Burnaby. This sixth chapter expands the HELLS ANGELS network into central and northern British Columbia. They continue to be active in the importation and distribution of cocaine. Their involvement in the hydroponic marihuana trade is increasing and they rely on a network of associates to set up grow houses, to harvest the marihuana and to transport it out of the province.

In the previously existing five HELLS ANGELS chapters, members were promoted and new prospects and hangarounds were added. The puppet gangs experienced the greatest changes. The REGULATORS, TRIBESMEN and WILD CATS disbanded while the TALISMEN expanded their ranks to form two chapters. The originating chapter remains in Smithers, B.C. and the newest chapter is located in Williams Lake, replacing the WILD CATS. It is believed that several of the WILD CATS members have patched over to the TALISMEN. In 1997 an emerging gang, the HUB CITY MEN'S CLUB sponsored by the HELLS ANGELS Nanaimo Chapter, surfaced in Kamloops. In spring 1998, this same gang received its patch, calling themselves the VIPERS. A second emerging gang, the PRINCE GEORGE MEN'S CLUB, acquired its patch in January 1999 and became the RENEGADES.

In two separate drug cases, police were successful in arresting and charging four HELLS ANGELS colour-wearing members along with numerous associates. Following a two-year cocaine trafficking investigation, police arrested three HELLS ANGELS East End Chapter members and several associates. Another investigation resulted in 50 marihuana grow houses located throughout the greater Vancouver area being dismantled, and over ten million dollars in product, cash and firearms seized. Seventy-six outlaw motorcycle gang members and associates were charged with conspiracy, cocaine and marihuana related offences.

Police were equally successful in coordinating and executing enforcement initiatives during two HELLS ANGELS 15^th Anniversary celebrations in Vancouver in July and December 1998. The initiatives were multi-jurisdictional, involving local municipal police forces and members of the RCMP. Investigators specializing in OMGs from Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia contributed to the intelligence behind the initiatives. The success of the initiatives can be attributed to the operational planning, as well as to a visible multi-force uniform presence. In addition to the regular coverage provided by Canada Customs and Immigration at ports of entry, a mobile unit comprising police and immigration officers was made available to any location to deal with immigration offences. Three HELLS ANGELS members from the United States were arrested under the Immigration Act and are expected to appear in 1999 at immigration hearings.

A two-year investigation into the cocaine and hashish trade in the Northwest Territories revealed that the Quebec HELLS ANGELS exert control in the eastern Arctic.

Vancouver's East End HELLS ANGELS formed a new NOMADS chapter in July 1998. This is the second NOMADS chapter in Canada (one was formed in Quebec in March 1995) and the tenth in the world. The NOMADS exist to facilitate the growth of the HELLS ANGELS organization.

Information indicates that there are ROCK MACHINE associates involved in the drug trade in Northern British Columbia.

The arrival of the HELLS ANGELS in Alberta a year ago brought a noticeable increase in violent crime, as they coerced independent drug dealers into their distribution network. The disbandment of the KINGS CREW of Calgary placed the HELLS ANGELS in full control of biker- related criminal activities in Alberta. This also provoked an increase in unreported crime. Victims of HELLS ANGELS threats and assaults have refused to proceed with complaints and informants have been reluctant to provide information on crimes committed by HELLS ANGELS members and associates.

The Alberta HELLS ANGELS have grown to a membership of 46 since their birth in July 1997 with 26 members. They opened chapters in Alberta with former GRIM REAPER members, but on September 18, 1998 they gave full member status to eight former REBELS. Two KINGS CREW members became HELLS ANGELS prospects. Forty-three HELLS ANGELS have criminal records. Twenty-five have been convicted of serious criminal offences.

The accused in Project KISS (which concluded in October 1998 with the arrest of six members of the Edmonton REBELS, including the president, one striker, two hangarounds and one associate) are expected to go to trial in 1999. The accused face criminal charges related to drugs, weapons, stolen property, money laundering and participation in a criminal organization.

In 1998, criminal charges against the Alberta HELLS ANGELS included the arrest of the Edmonton chapter president and two prospects, for the May 24^th beating and extortion of a male associate. In July, an Edmonton HELLS ANGELS prospect and a Quebec associate were arrested by police in Kelowna and charged with assault causing bodily harm. One of them is also charged with uttering death threats and obstructing a police officer.

The Saskatoon REBELS, established in 1980, officially received their HELLS ANGELS colours in September 1998 after being a prospect club for one year. Since then, the new chapter has kept a low profile. Twelve of its 13 members have criminal records. The APOLLOS are the second-largest outlaw motorcycle gang in Saskatchewan and are subordinate to the HELLS ANGELS in Saskatoon. The Saskatoon HELLS ANGELS' main source of income is from the sale of illicit drugs, particularly cocaine and marihuana.

The LOS BROVOS have been a fixture in Manitoba for thirty years and constitute the most active and dominant biker club in that province. With 20 full-fledged members, 3 prospects, and a large network of associates, the LOS BROVOS are now expecting to become a prospect chapter of the HELLS ANGELS in 1999. The SPARTANS meanwhile, are predominant in Brandon and in rural Manitoba.

The group of HELLS ANGELS associates known as the REDLINERS ceased to exist in May 1998. Some of the group's ex-members are vying for membership in the LOS BROVOS and SPARTANS. One is a prospect of the LOS BROVOS.

In January 1998 both the LOS BROVOS and REDLINER clubhouses were ordered closed by Winnipeg Police for by-law infractions. The REDLINER clubhouse has been taken over by the Manitoba Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit. The LOS BROVOS are attempting to meet by-law standards and reopen their clubhouse.

The LOS BROVOS have become more low key, perhaps taking direction from the HELLS ANGELS. Several times in 1998, members of the LOS BROVOS travelled outside Manitoba to meet with the HELLS ANGELS in British Columbia and Quebec.

The province of Ontario has the largest contingent of OMGs in Canada, with 9 gangs and over 500 members. The Ontario OMG situation is in a state of flux, however. External influences from the HELLS ANGELS and ROCK MACHINE are likely to disrupt the current balance of power among the major OMGs based in the Greater Toronto Area. The establishment of a chapter in Ontario has been a long standing goal for the HELLS ANGELS.

Thus far, it would appear that the HELLS ANGELS are seeking control in Ottawa and Cornwall, while the ROCK MACHINE is making significant inroads into Kingston and Sarnia. Kingston has been an ideal base for the ROCK MACHINE to set up operations. With several penitentiaries and halfway houses in the area, there is a large criminal element and a lucrative market for drugs. Associates of the HELLS ANGELS, ROCK MACHINE and the OUTLAWS are located in Belleville. To date, the OUTLAWS are the only OMG with an official clubhouse in Eastern Ontario.

While the PARA-DICE RIDERS are the most prosperous, the Toronto SATAN'S CHOICE is one of the most successful OMGs in Ontario. This OMG is involved in fencing stolen goods, auto theft, insurance and credit card fraud, tractor trailer thefts and smuggling. Information suggests they work with Traditional Organized Crime members in extortion and debt collection as well as firearms and narcotics distribution.

The VAGABONDS have a strong leadership and financial position as well as weapons capabilities. For now, they continue to keep a low profile and expand their profitable business ventures.

In London, Ontario, the OUTLAWS have had an exceptionally bad year. They have been weakened by police action, have suffered the murders of two prominent members and face new competition in the reappearance of the ANNIHILATORS who have patched over to the LONERS. The murders of the London OUTLAWS are symbolic of the fact that Ontario OMGs are no longer content with existing territorial divisions and are now competing fiercely for lucrative criminal turf.

The Manitoba-based LOS BROVOS and SPARTANS have members and associates living and operating in Northwestern Ontario. OMG activity in Western Canada continues to have an impact on this region. Three members and some associates of the LOS BROVOS live in the Kenora area and members of the gang maintain strong ties to the Thunder Bay chapter of the SATAN'S CHOICE.

During the first half of 1998, the Ontario Provincial Police formed the Provincial Special Squad, with a mandate to halt the movement and expansion of OMGs. The new squad will place emphasis on proactive enforcement measures, including proceeds of crime investigations, intelligence gathering and dissemination and inter-agency coordination and cooperation at both the provincial and federal levels.

The province of Quebec remains the scene of the most intensive OMG activity, with six HELLS ANGELS chapters - South, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Montréal and the NOMADS - seven affiliate clubs and a continuing war between the HELLS ANGELS and the ROCK MACHINE. As of the end of 1998, the war between the HELLS ANGELS and the ROCK MACHINE, which began in July 1994, has resulted in 103 homicides, 124 murder attempts, 9 missing persons, 84 bombings and 130 incidents of arson, for a total of 450 violent incidents.

While several leaders of the ROCK MACHINE were killed in 1998, the organization retains its dynamism through continuous recruiting of new members. Since June 1999 members of the ROCK MACHINE have been wearing full OMG colours indicating that they are now part of the BANDIDOS organization (hangarounds).

In November 1998, two investigations led to the arrest of twenty-two individuals including three full-fledged members of the HELLS ANGELS. Seized items included cocaine with a value in excess of $2 million dollars, other drugs worth more than $1 million, firearms, counterfeit money, stolen vehicles and stolen goods. Three hydroponic laboratories were also dismantled.

The first investigation began in December 1997 to inquire into the HELLS ANGELS' involvement in drug trafficking. The project was conducted in cooperation with the multi-jurisdictional Wolverine Squad in Quebec (Carcajou). A second investigation also started in December 1997, aimed to seize and/or block assets obtained through the commission of an offense by HELLS ANGELS members and associates.

Not content with the distribution and sale of illicit drugs such as cocaine, marihuana, LSD, PCP and Ecstasy, the HELLS ANGELS and the ROCK MACHINE are heavily involved in the importation of these drugs and, in some cases, their production. The discovery of 178 kilograms of cocaine in a vehicle at the border town of Lacolle in January 1998 resulted in the arrest of the driver. It led investigators of the Sûreté du Québec and the Wolverine (Carcajou) squad to determine that the president of the South chapter of the HELLS ANGELS was involved in financing the importation. He has since pleaded guilty to this offence.

Prostitution, stolen firearms and fraud constitute other criminal activities of Quebec OMGs. In May 1998 the Montreal Urban Community Police uncovered a veritable arsenal (over 30 weapons of various calibres) in a duplex in Verdun, occupied by four individuals closely associated with the HELLS ANGELS.

Faced with the extent of the problem engendered by OMGs and due, in part, to the fact that the strategy against OMGs in Quebec has resulted in a counter offensive on the part of the bikers, the government of Quebec has decided to escalate efforts against OMGs. It will extend coverage over a greater area of the province through six newly formed police squads. These regional squads face a counter offensive characterized by violence, intimidation, the use of the media to disseminate a controlled biker message and complaints against police officers filed with the Police Commission Board.

The New Brunswick BACCHUS MC celebrated its 26th anniversary this year. It is affiliated with the eastern Canada HELLS ANGELS chapters and several other OMGs in Ontario. They are involved mostly in drug trafficking but also in the fencing of stolen goods and the theft of motorcycle parts.

The CHARLOTTETOWN HARLEY CLUB of Prince Edward Island has strong links to the Quebec HELLS ANGELS and several other OMGs. In April 1998, the club held its annual anniversary party in Charlottetown that was attended by representatives of several prominent OMGs, including the PARA-DICE RIDERS, the RED DEVILS and the SATAN'S CHOICE from Ontario, BACCHUS from New Brunswick and the Sherbrooke and Quebec City chapters of the HELLS ANGELS.

A combination of successful police investigations and internal problems has reduced the Halifax chapter of the HELLS ANGELS to a state of near collapse. The chapter is believed to be experiencing serious financial difficulties following the failure of an off load scheme. It is now under the supervision of the Sherbrooke chapter. Two of the main criminal enterprises controlled by the HELLS ANGELS in this region continue to be drug trafficking and strip clubs.

Cape Breton continues to see an increase of OMGs and related activity. Some drug investigations have revealed links to clubs such as the HELLS ANGELS, ROCK MACHINE and the PARA-DICE RIDERS. Counterfeit currency is a problem in Cape Breton and PEI that may be connected to OMG members from Ontario.

Newfoundland, with its thousands of kilometres of sparsely populated coastline, is ideally situated for massive drug importation operations. For this reason it is highly attractive to OMGs. The FREEDOM RIDERS, formed in the summer of 1995, are the most active OMG in the province, with close links to the Quebec HELLS ANGELS. The HELLS ANGELS control a large percentage of Newfoundland's drug trade. Information indicates the HELLS ANGELS are also actively involved in local businesses such as escort services, pool halls and nightclubs.
 

Outlook The establishment of a chapter in Ontario remains an objective for the HELLS ANGELS.    The ongoing war between the HELLS ANGELS and the ROCK MACHINE, and the possible arrival of the BANDIDOS, through their association with the ROCK MACHINE, will escalate the level of OMG-related violence in Quebec and Ontario.    Assault and intimidation are major tools used by OMGs to support their criminal activities and to maintain an advantage over police and the judicial system. This is unlikely to change in the near future.

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