TRIAL SET FOR HELLS ANGELS BIKERS IN CRACKDOWN ON ORGANIZED CRIME

QUEBEC-- Thirteen men accused of turning their Hells Angels
motorcycle gang into a mafialike network that dealt drugs throughout
Quebec province go on trial this week in Canada's biggest crackdown
on organized crime. The defendants face charges of drug-trafficking,
kidnapping and assault. Conviction for involvement in organized crime
carries a penalty of up to 14 years in prison.

Police say drug-trade turf wars between the Hells Angels and a rival
group, the Rock Machine, are blamed for at least 158 murders, 169
attempted murders and the disappearances of 16 others.

On Thursday, a judge hearing a separate case convicted four members
of the Rock Machine biker gang and acquitted four others of similar
charges under the federal anti-gang laws.

Quebec Superior Court Judge Jean-Claude Beaulieu already has rejected
a defense challenge to the constitutionality of the anti-gang laws,
adopted in 1997.

The two gangs' ruthless style made national headlines last year when
a crime reporter was shot in the back five times in what was believed
to be revenge for his stories on the bike gangs.