SECRET DRUG SIGNALS OF THE HELLS ANGELS

Accused Turned His Wrist Like He Was Starting A Car To Indicate Meth
Order, Man Testifies

Over dinner at an east Vancouver Chinese restaurant in August, 2004,
Hells Angels member Ronnie Lising turned his wrist like he was
starting a car to show that he needed "a key" -- a kilogram -- of
methamphetamine, a police agent told B.C. Supreme Court Tuesday.

Michael Plante, who infiltrated the notorious biker gang for the
RCMP, said he thought Lising wanted to purchase a kilo of cocaine,
but the full-patch Hells Angel said "no, the other stuff " meaning meth.

Lising and Hells Angels associate Nima Ghavami are facing trafficking
charges after a massive RCMP undercover operation dubbed E-Pandora,
which resulted in the 2005 arrests of 18 people, including six
full-patch Hells Angels. Details of the sophisticated $10-million
high-tech probe involving multiple wiretaps and surveillance cameras
were revealed to Justice Victor Curtis Tuesday.

Plante testified that he got the kilo of meth for Lising from his
associate Kerry Ryan Renaud, who was making and selling meth along
with East End chapter Hells Angel John Punko.

Renaud was captured on two police surveillance videos delivering a
bag to Plante in a New Westminster parking lot that the police agent
said contained the methamphetamine and cash to be divided between
Plante and Punko.

A video shown to Curtis of the transaction was taken by a camera
hidden in the trunk of a Mustang car police had given Plante.

The two can be seen from the neck down standing over the trunk and
having a discussion about the cost of the kilo -- $13,000 -- and who
would get what from the profits.

A second video of the same meeting was taken from some distance away
by the RCMP showing both Renaud and Plante standing over the trunk of
the same car.

Plante testified that he told Renaud not to mention to Punko that the
meth was for Lising.

"I didn't want him to tell Punko that we were doing a deal with
Ronnie because Punko didn't want Ryan dealing with any other Hells
Angel," he said.

Plante said that before and after each drug transaction or other
meetings with the targets of the police investigation, he would call
his RCMP handlers or meet them at his safehouse.

After the Renaud delivery, he said he drove to meet the RCMP who took
the cash intended for Plante, but left what the agent was to deliver to Punko.

"I took it to my safehouse and the handlers retrieved it from the
trunk and took it from there," he testified.

Plante, who has been promised $1 million by the RCMP for his
infiltration work, said Ghavami was also involved in the
methamphetamine operation.

Plante testified that he made a mistake when he first told Lising a
kilo of meth would cost him $11,000. He had to later explain the
actual price was $13,000 to which he says Lising made a reference to
an Angels prospect who was always overcharging for drugs.

Plante explained to federal prosecutor Martha Devlin that he had no
choice but to deliver the kilo of meth once Lising asked him for it.

"It's not like I can say 'no, beat it,'" Plante explained. "I
couldn't say no to Mr. Lising because I was trying to get into the
club. He's in the club and he is very influential."

Other surveillance videos played in court show Plante meeting Lising
at several Lower Mainland locations, usually near a gym or a
favourite eatery, including one showing Lising at 41st and Main in
Vancouver walking over to a large tree to chat with the agent.

A phone conversation played in court Tuesday has Lising telling
Plante that he has permission to smash in the teeth of an associate
who has been name-dropping.

"Anyone who starts rapping my name is not a friend of mine," Lising said.

Lising lawyer Greg DelBigio objected to the use of some of the taped
material, saying it is irrelevant to the charge against Lising and
could "reflect poorly on my client."

Curtis said he accepted that some of the tape was simply part of the
Crown's narrative and not evidence.

The trial, which is expected to last four weeks, is scheduled to continue today.