MEMBERS RICH AND BIG IN THE DRUG BIZ

The five chapters of the Hells Angels in B.C. are extraordinarily wealthy
and involved in most forms of crime on the West Coast, a police intelligence
report says.

Compiled by the Criminal Intelligence Services of Canada, the report says
the bikers are the major players in hydroponic marijuana grow operations and
are active in drug importation and distribution. The potent marijuana is
traded pound-for-pound for cocaine south of the border. Drug squad officers
refer to the trade as "Grass out - cocaine in." The report said Hells Angels
are also money launderers, often reinvesting in legitimate business and real
estate.

The five chapters - Vancouver, Nanaimo, Haney, White Rock and East End
(Vancouver) - have about 50 full-fledged members and scores of associates
and affiliates.

Over the years, the Hells Angels have swallowed up many smaller biker gangs
in B.C. such as the 101 Knights, the Gypsy Wheelers and Satan's Angels. The
Regulators based in Burnaby are affiliated with the Angels. Members of the
Regulators do much of the "street work" and act as enforcers. Police
intelligence shows there are 38 outlaw motorcycle gangs in Canada, with
Hells Angels the most powerful and best organized.

- - Asia Pacific News Services

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett