DOZENS ARRESTED IN HELLS ANGELS CRACKDOWN

Etobicoke Gym Raided In Joint-Forces Investigation

Police say they infiltrated the Hells Angels with the help of one of
its own members during an 18-month investigation into the motorcycle
gang that ended Thursday with a series of raids, including one at a
south Etobicoke gym.

OPP Det. Supt. Don Bell said the joint-forces investigation led to 27
arrests and the seizure of drugs, weapons, vehicles and money.
"Charges were laid relating to trafficking of illegal drugs, weapons,
violence and criminal organization offences. Drugs seized included
cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana," Bell told reporters
during a news conference Friday. "This investigation has demonstrated
that without a doubt organized crime groups are involved in the
methamphetamine trade. This would include the Hells Angels."

The investigation, dubbed Project Tandem, involved 500 officers from
11 police forces. Fifteen Hells Angels members and a Toronto Vagabond
member were among those arrested.

Bell alleged the Vagabond gang has 40 members and has "close ties to
traditional organized crime."

Police have laid more than 100 charges.

Investigators from the OPP's criminal investigation branch and
Project Tandem have also charged 29-year-old [Name redacted]with
counselling to commit murder and breach of recognizance in connection
with the alleged murder plot of a Peterborough resident. In addition,
investigators charged [Name redacted], 44, and [Name redacted], 43,
with conspiracy to commit murder and criminal organization offences
in an alleged murder plot in Maple.

"The significance of this investigation is that we've utilized a
Hells Angels member to infiltrate this criminal group," Bell said.
"We took on members that are very high up in the hierarchy. This will
have a significant impact on disrupting the criminal activities of
the Hells Angels in Ontario."

Police believe there are about 200 Hells Angels members in the
province and about 10 associates for every member.

Toronto Police Staff Supt. Rick Gauthier said a "significant" number
of Toronto officers have been assigned to the provincial biker
enforcement unit. "We have a large human resource commitment to biker
enforcement because of the impact they have on Toronto," he said.
"The Hells Angels are a very big deal to Toronto, to Toronto Police."