LOCAL BIKERS FORGE NEW TIES

Hamilton's Red Devils have forged closer ties with the notorious Hells
Angels, who had threatened to gobble them up just a year ago. At the same
time, the Red Devils -- the oldest outlaw motorcycle gang in Canada -- have
added eight new members, raising speculation the gang may split into two
units to gain greater control over the drug trade in the Niagara region.

The Devils' expansion follows a trend in southern Ontario where the Hells
Angels club in Niagara added four new members after it became a full-status
chapter in July.

Hamilton police Sergeant Steve Pacey, a member of the provincial special
squad investigating bikers, said the Devils now have more than 30 members
flashing their patches around the Steel City.

Pacey said the bikers, who have a clubhouse on the Beach strip, have
developed a closer relationship with Hells Angels, who now number more than
200 in several chapters across the province. He said the two gangs have
attended each other's parties and functions and have maintained a generally
friendly relationship.

When the Angels first moved into Ontario a year ago, they patched over
members of a number of other outlaw gangs, including the Para-Dice Riders
and Satan's Choice, and biker experts speculated it was only a matter of
time before they would try to take over the Red Devils. The Devil were
expected to be in the "next wave" of patchovers.

Biker expert Yves Lavigne said the Red Devils expansion doesn't necessarily
mean they've staved off a hostile take over by the Hells Angels.

"It may mean the Hells Angels have asked the Red Devils to bolster their
numbers so they could split into two chapters with one chapter in Hamilton
and one chapter on the outskirts of the city to cash in on the drug trade,"
said Lavigne who has written three books about bikers including Hells
Angels Taking Care of Business and Hells Angels at War.

"There's a lot of space between Hamilton and Niagara (that isn't controlled
by any organization). It would be the logical way to do business. The city
is still the territory of the old Italian mafia. There isn't enough
business for 30 bikers."

Lavigne said no one knows exactly what the Angels' business plan is.

"They don't do business without a plan. But you'll find out where the Red
Devils stand with the Hells Angels on Jan. 11 when the Angels hold their
first anniversary bash at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Toronto."