ARRESTS IN BIKER-GANG SWEEP

More than 50 people were arrested yesterday as police raids in Quebec and
Atlantic Canada targeted biker gangs in an effort to disrupt an extensive
drug network controlled by the Hells Angels.

About 25 people were arrested in the Quebec City area, along with 17 people
in northwestern New Brunswick and another 12 in the southeastern part of
the province.

"It's the dismantling of an important drug network controlled by the Hells
Angels," said Lyne Jacques, spokes-man in the Quebec City region for the
police operation.

"Six people taken into custody in the Quebec City area are members of the
Hells Angels chapter."

Jacques said more than 400 police in the region were involved in the
wide-ranging operation. "Some raids were on homes and others were on
businesses," she said.

Jacques said Quebec City area police had been working on the investigation
since April 2000 while New Brunswick police started their part of the probe
two months later.

There were also two arrests in Halifax and one in Newfoundland. One person
arrested was grabbed in Paris, France, police said.

At least 40 raids were launched.

Constable Mark Gallagher of the RCMP detachment in Moncton, N.B., said
there were no incidents as officers conducted their operation yesterday.

Gallagher said in excess of $1 million in drugs and cash were seized in the
Moncton raids.

"Investigators believe they have dismantled an elaborate, countrywide drug
distribution network spanning the provinces of British Columbia, Quebec,
New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland,"
Gallagher said.

He said the Quebec City chapter of the Hells Angels organized the
distribution of narcotics in the Atlantic provinces, with the assistance of
its puppet club, the Damners, a biker gang based in northern New Brunswick.

Gallagher said the police raids have effectively dismantled the Quebec City
chapter of the Hells Angels drug ring and severed its connection with the
Damners.

He said that at least in the short term, there should be fewer drugs in
circulation.

"It'll dry it up, somewhat, for awhile," Gallagher said.

He said those arrested face charges of conspiracy to traffic in cocaine,
ecstasy and marijuana.

There also will be charges of conspiracy to launder the proceeds of crime,
he said.