MASSIVE RAIDS A HUGE BLOW

Police 'Want To Go After The Hells Angels'

The B.C. Hells Angels are no longer untouchables and are reeling
after a massive bust, says a biker-gang expert.

"This is by far the biggest blow the Hells Angels have ever suffered
in B.C.," said Julian Sher, an investigative journalist who co-wrote
the book The Road to Hell: How Biker Gangs Conquered Canada.

"For years the Hells Angels have been untouched and I think they are
shocked from this.

"For the first time in their lives, they see the game has changed
significantly."

Sher said no other province has seen anything like the B.C. Hells
Angels' public-relations war. The Angels are determined to show they
are nothing more than a group of like-minded men who enjoy the great
outdoors on their Harley Davidsons.

The image campaign has included donating money to charity and taking
part in Toys for Kids bike rides.

"If they really believe what they say in their campaigns, if that is
true, then they should kick out all the members who were charged
tomorrow," Sher said.

The RCMP, in their 2004 Criminal Intelligence Service Canada report,
allege the Hells Angels are the largest outlaw motorcycle gang in Canada.

Although Canada has about one-tenth the population of the U.S., there
are about 500 Hells Angels in Canada, compared to about 700 in the
U.S. and only 2,500 to 3,000 worldwide.

The raids and arrests mark a real transition for B.C.'s RCMP after
"years of neglect," Sher said.

"They want to go after the Hells Angels in a serious way now and the
Hells Angels know that.

"The police have learned a lot of lessons over the years and the RCMP
leadership has re-evaluated.

"More importantly, they've re-organized. They've brought in the best
and brightest of biker cops and for the first time, they're all
working together."