POLICE MOLE KEY TO HELLS ANGELS RAIDS

'Full-Patch' Member Of The Gang Was Working For Police In
Toronto

TORONTO An informant deep inside the Hells Angels provided crucial
evidence that led to 32 arrests and the seizure of the gang's
"flagship" clubhouse in Toronto, police said yesterday.

Police in Ontario claimed to have dealt a significant blow to the
biker gang nationwide after 27 tactical teams executed a series of
raids and laid 169 charges in Ontario, New Brunswick and B.C. on Wednesday.

The arrests and charges make it clear the Hells Angels' claims of
being a group of mere motorcycle enthusiasts is "misleading
propaganda," said OPP Det. Insp. Dan Redmond.

"The goals of outlaw motorcycle gangs are to create criminal
enterprises in Ontario and Canada for financial gain through violence,
threats and attempts to control various criminal activity focusing on
drug trafficking," Det. Insp. Redmond, commander of the OPP's Biker
Enforcement Unit, told a news conference.

"Our enforcement initiatives make it clear the Hells Angels are
involved in drugs, weapons and violence-related offences. The Hells
Angels are criminals, and as such, not welcome in Ontario."

The sweep, called Project Develop, was the culmination of an 18-month
investigation, during which a "full-patch" member of the Hells Angels
acted as a police mole and infiltrated the club's downtown Toronto
chapter.

Sixteen of the men facing charges are full-patch members of the Hells
Angels, meaning they are officially inducted members of the gang.
Warrants have been issued for two more.

The arrests included a full-patch member from B.C. and a member of the
Bacchus club in New Brunswick. Most of the suspects were arrested at
their homes.

Police, and the Hells Angels themselves, make an important distinction
between those who have been inducted as full members of the gang and
those who are prospective members or associates. Only full members get
to wear the full patch of the gang on the back of their jackets.

Det. Insp. Redmond estimated that 200 full-patch Hells Angels are
operating in Ontario and are organized into 16 chapters, not all of
which are active.

OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino praised the effort as a prime example
of nationwide police co-operation, calling it "a good day for policing
in Toronto, a good day for policing in Ontario and a good day for
policing in Canada." More than 400 officers were involved in Ontario
alone.

"Organized crime has no boundaries, and those involved have neither a
conscience nor shame," he said. "They set up where they feel they have
the best chance to succeed and to victimize."

Police seized nearly 500 litres of GHB -- commonly known as the date
rape drug -- worth an estimated $996,000. They also seized nine
kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of hashish and Oxycodone and
Viagra pills during Project Develop. During the raids, they also found
more than $21,000 in cash, some of which was stuffed into a doughnut
box.

Officers also seized a wide array of weapons during the takedowns --
including 67 rifles, five handguns, three pairs of brass knuckles and
a police baton -- and took control of the Hells Angels' fortified
clubhouse in downtown Toronto. They removed the Hells Angels signs as
a symbolic gesture to assure the surrounding community the gang's
presence would not be tolerated.

"The brazen way in which this group advertises their presence in the
neighbourhood could not be tolerated," said Deputy Chief Tony Warr of
the Toronto police. "They cannot be allowed to flaunt their presence
in our neighbourhoods."

Many of the suspects made brief court appearances yesterday in
Toronto.

Two armed members of the Toronto Police Emergency Task Force guarded
the courthouse door.