BUST FREEZES HELLS ANGELS

But Cops Predict Bikers' Return To Drug Biz

The arrests of 11 Hells Angels associates have left the criminal club's
local cocaine distribution network tattered -- but police warn the bikers
will soon be back in business.

"They won't want to lose their territory," Sgt. Jacques Lemieux, a biker
expert with the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, said after Monday's
arrests. "It's a very lucrative region.

"But not as many drugs will be coming in until things have settled down."

Lemieux compared the Hells Angels organization -- including the St. Luc,
Que., Jokers puppet club responsible for supplying five kilos of cocaine
weekly to six local dealers -- to an octopus.

Continued Growth

"If you cut off a tentacle another will grow," he said. "We have to go
after the head and try to cut it off."

RCMP Insp. Dale Begbie said 15 Project Apocalypse arrests to date and a
$2.5-million cocaine seizure Jan. 13 have left the capital "fairly dry"
when it comes to the narcotic.

"They'll be looking for new distributors," Begbie added.

"We just try to stay a couple steps ahead of them. We've always got
projects going. We'll be vigilant."

Police believe the Trois Rivieres Hells Angels chapter used their Jokers
underling to control about 80% of the local drug trade -- dealing $1.5
million in coke weekly.

Suspects At Large

Although Monday's local raids in Gatineau, Hull, Luskville, Val-des-Monts,
Orleans and Vanier led to eight arrests, four suspects remain at large.

Three Jokers gang members also face charges after their bunker southeast of
Montreal was stormed simultaneously.