News (Media Awareness Project) - CN ON: Major Dent In Hells |
| Title: | CN ON: Major Dent In Hells |
| Published On: | 2007-04-06 |
| Source: | Toronto Sun (CN ON) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-12 08:50:08 |
MAJOR DENT IN HELLS
'You Can Run, But You Can't Hide,' Bikers Warned
Biker police believe now that after years of chipping away at the
hardened veneer of the Hells Angels they've put a significant dent in
the heart of the organization.
Through the use of a full-patch Hells informant working against the
biker gang for the past 18 months, police said they were able to seize
$2 million in drugs, three properties -- including the downtown
Toronto clubhouse -- 81 weapons and 10 vehicles.
Among the 31 arrested were 18 full-patch members. In all, police laid
169 charges.
"Satisfied," OPP Insp. Dan Redmond of the province's biker enforcement
unit said at a press conference held yesterday with top brass and
police chiefs from across the province and B.C. "It's a significant
day."
Police targeted the alleged drug and weapons network of the core
members of the Toronto "Downtown" chapter of the Hells, two B.C.
chapters and an affiliate biker gang -- the Bacchus -- in New Brunswick.
"We are here to shut you down. You can run but you can't hide, and we
will do all that we can to bring you to justice," said Julian Fantino,
OPP commissioner.
It is the third time since January 2006 that police projects -- Husky,
Tandem and now Develop -- have used full-patch members to snitch on
the exploits of fellow members. Among the allegations are drug
trafficking networks and conspiracy to commit murder.
Redmond and Fantino said what was worrisome was the amount of drugs
seized, which included 9 kilos of cocaine and 498 litres of the "date
rape" drug GHB, valued at $996,000. Redmond said his drug unit
officers have told him that 5 ml of GHB sells for $10 at clubs.
Some of the photo exhibits provided by police yesterday showed
handguns with oversized ammo clips and money being transported during
alleged drug deals in doughnut boxes.
Some of the more notable members charged are Toronto president John
"Winner" Neal, 57, former Eastern Canada spokesman Donny Petersen, 59,
Charles Burrell, 40, and Vincenzo Sansalone, of the Hainey, B.C. chapter.
'You Can Run, But You Can't Hide,' Bikers Warned
Biker police believe now that after years of chipping away at the
hardened veneer of the Hells Angels they've put a significant dent in
the heart of the organization.
Through the use of a full-patch Hells informant working against the
biker gang for the past 18 months, police said they were able to seize
$2 million in drugs, three properties -- including the downtown
Toronto clubhouse -- 81 weapons and 10 vehicles.
Among the 31 arrested were 18 full-patch members. In all, police laid
169 charges.
"Satisfied," OPP Insp. Dan Redmond of the province's biker enforcement
unit said at a press conference held yesterday with top brass and
police chiefs from across the province and B.C. "It's a significant
day."
Police targeted the alleged drug and weapons network of the core
members of the Toronto "Downtown" chapter of the Hells, two B.C.
chapters and an affiliate biker gang -- the Bacchus -- in New Brunswick.
"We are here to shut you down. You can run but you can't hide, and we
will do all that we can to bring you to justice," said Julian Fantino,
OPP commissioner.
It is the third time since January 2006 that police projects -- Husky,
Tandem and now Develop -- have used full-patch members to snitch on
the exploits of fellow members. Among the allegations are drug
trafficking networks and conspiracy to commit murder.
Redmond and Fantino said what was worrisome was the amount of drugs
seized, which included 9 kilos of cocaine and 498 litres of the "date
rape" drug GHB, valued at $996,000. Redmond said his drug unit
officers have told him that 5 ml of GHB sells for $10 at clubs.
Some of the photo exhibits provided by police yesterday showed
handguns with oversized ammo clips and money being transported during
alleged drug deals in doughnut boxes.
Some of the more notable members charged are Toronto president John
"Winner" Neal, 57, former Eastern Canada spokesman Donny Petersen, 59,
Charles Burrell, 40, and Vincenzo Sansalone, of the Hainey, B.C. chapter.
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