Pot times July 19, 2005

Police Trumpet Major Bust

URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1143/a07.html
Newshawk: Herb

Pubdate: Tue, 19 Jul 2005
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005, Canoe Inc
Contact: news@24hrs.ca
Website: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: Irwin Loy
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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.