JOINING HELLS ANGELS A PRICEY TASK

Tab Can Hit Up To $300,000 For Wannabes

YOU too can be a member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club -- as long
as you have upwards of $300,000.

Almost akin to a bizarre franchise fee, that's how much an expert in
the Hells Angels told jurors at a trial of a club member it is
estimated to cost an individual to go through the roughly five-year
period from the time they say they want to join the club as a "friend"
to the point they become a "full patch member."

Staff Sgt. Jacques Lemieux, head of the RCMP's drug section in Ottawa,
said becoming a full member doesn't come cheap because they're
expected to shoulder many of the costs faced by the full-patch members.

"They'll be asked to pay for meals, buy gas, pay for runs out of their
own pocket," Lemieux said on Thursday.

But Lemieux said wannabe members are told that while the financial
benefits are low when they begin, by the time they become full-patch
members the cash comes rolling in.

"It's just like winning the lottery. You are now a full-fledged member
of the Hells Angels, a worldwide organization."

Ian Grant, a full-patch gang member, has pleaded not guilty to charges
including participating in a criminal organization, drug trafficking,
extortion and possessing proceeds of crime.

During Lemieux's all-day questioning by the Crown, jurors were taken
on a virtual tour of the Angel's operations around the world and in
Manitoba through photographs and documents.

In fact, during parts of the testimony, it began to feel like the only
things separating the Hells Angels from a corporation with a board of
directors are Harley Davidson motorcycles, leather jackets, and skull
insignias.

As Lemieux was shown numerous documents seized during a February 2006
raid at the Hells Angels Scotia Street clubhouse in Winnipeg, he noted
the Angels have a full corporate structure with the president at the
top, followed by the vice-president, secretary, and
sergeant-at-arms.

"The president usually has the most power in the organization. He
oversees the day-to-day activities. He's like the CEO of a
corporation. And he has absolute veto over all matters of the club."

Lemieux said the Angels have rules and bylaws, they have votes on both
local and international club policy, and they keep meticulous minutes
of their weekly local chapter meetings -- called church meetings -- as
well as at regional, national and worldwide meetings.

Lemieux said the only thing they keep out of their minutes is any
mentioning of ongoing criminal activity.

The documents show that many of the financial matters discussed were
mundane including MTS phone bills, gas and hydro utility payments, and
charges for new tires.

Lemieux said the sergeant-at-arms is responsible for enforcing club
rules and meting out sanctions -- including physical punishment.

Lemieux said photos in their clubhouse, showing members of chapters
across North America and around the world, aren't just for show --
they're so local members will know they are in fact bona fide members
of the club if they bump into them here or in another country.