HELLS ANGELS SAY THEY 'SUPPORT' ARMED FORCES

'A Patriotic Organization': Gang's Web Site Links To DND 'Morale Message Board'

The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club says any links between its members and the
Canadian Forces shows their patriotism rather than a move to recruit
soldiers for a drug war.

Revelations in yesterday's National Post that military officials launched
at least 29 investigations last year into soldiers suspected of being
involved with criminal motorcycle gangs sparked a quick response from the
world's largest and most notorious biker organization.

"The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is a patriotic organization born out of
defending freedom and democracy and we will continue to do so," says an
official statement from the downtown Toronto chapter of the Hells Angels,
in response to the story.

"We support our armed forces vigorously, and their efforts to defend
freedom and equal justice for all Canadians," the statement says.

And David Burgess, who is described as the world president of HAMC, Inc.,
the corporate entity of the Hells Angels clubs, called the military probes
"disinformation" and said the controversy comes after the Toronto chapter's
Internet Web site published a photograph of what appears to be a U.S.
military vehicle stationed in Baghdad with "Support Your Local Hells Angel"
painted on its rear.

The Toronto Hells Angels Web site is linked to the Department of National
Defence's Web site, in a bid to support Canadian troops. The site
encourages visitors to write to members of the Canadian Forces stationed
abroad.

"After 9/11 Canadians left for Afghanistan to hunt for Osama Bin Laden and
defend freedom," the site reads. "They are still there and we support them."

Clicking on a number of links takes Internet visitors to the DND's "Morale
Message Board," where notes can be sent to the troops.

The show of support from the bikers comes as military officials say they
are trying to investigate and root out connections between its soldiers and
members of unsavoury organizations.

The 29 case files uncovered pose significant concern for organized crime
investigators who say motorcycle gangs are looking to incorporate people
with skills that could be useful in a street war over the lucrative drug
trade, particularly those experienced with guns and explosives.

Officials also worry that bikers could use soldiers to gain access to
high-powered weapons or engage in drug smuggling using military transportation.

The cases involve soldiers based in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba,
Ontario and Quebec and deployed in Germany, Belgium and Bosnia.

Some of the incidents involved allegations of stolen military gear,
soldiers who were suspected of being members, former members or associates
of various gangs, including the Hells Angels, Bandidos and Outlaws -- three
of the world's largest motorcycle gangs -- as well as the Zig Zag Crew, a
violent street gang in Winnipeg, the documents show.

The Defence Department has been working on a policy for several years to
restrict contact between soldiers and outlaw bikers. Internal e-mails and
reports obtained by the Post show military officials are worried of running
afoul of freedom-of-association provisions in the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms in its policy.

A DND spokesman said no policy is yet in place but connections are
vigorously investigated.