5 individuals related to the Hells Angels bike gang are dealing with charges after police raided two houses and two unlicensed bars in Waterloo Area.
Ontario Provincial Police and Waterloo Regional Police carried out the searches on Might 11, Might 13 and Might 21.
However the case began a lot earlier.
“The investigation began several months ago in response to complaints about violence surrounding an after-hours bar or an illegal bar,” stated Insp. Scott Wade with the OPP’s Biker Enforcement Unit. “As the Waterloo Regional Police investigated it, they learned that there was an association or connection to the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.”
278 and 272 Weber Road West in Kitchener on Might 11, 2024. (Hannah Schmidt/CTV Kitchener)
On Might 11, neighbours close to 278 and 272 Weber Road West in Kitchener noticed a big police presence on the Hells Angels clubhouse round 3 a.m.
Ontario Chronicle reached out to each Waterloo Regional Police and OPP however officers couldn’t share any particulars at the moment.
In a media launch despatched out Wednesday, OPP confirmed that 4 Hells Angels associates and a ‘hangaround’ have been arrested. A hangaround is an individual who, whereas not thought of a full affiliate of the bike gang, could also be working in direction of membership.
Two individuals from Kitchener, a 46-year-old and 28-year-old, are collectively charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, data of possession of an unauthorized firearm and possession of cocaine for the aim of trafficking.
A 37-year-old Cambridge man, in the meantime, is charged with possession of cocaine for the aim of trafficking, in addition to two counts for providing to promote or promoting liquor opposite to the Liquor Licence and Management Act.
A 44-year-old Kitchener man can also be dealing with a complete of three charges. They embrace: possession of cocaine for the aim of trafficking, trafficking cocaine, and providing to promote or promoting liquor opposite to the Liquor Licence and Management Act.
One other Kitchener man, 39, is charged with possession of cocaine for the aim of trafficking and providing to promote or promoting liquor opposite to the Liquor Licence and Management Act.
OPP stated officers recovered a restricted handgun and roughly one kilogram of suspected cocaine through the search of the Kitchener houses.
A handgun and holster sit on a desk after an investigation into the Hells Angels gang in Waterloo Area. (Submitted: Ontario Provincial Police)
A big amount of alcohol and digital units have been additionally seized.
In accordance with OPP, unlawful bars are a method the group makes cash.
“The Hells Angels Bike Membership is an OMG (Outlaw Bike Gang) that makes use of their curiosity in bikes as a canopy for unlawful actions together with drug trafficking, fraud, counterfeiting, cash laundering, contraband smuggling, extortion, violence, and unlawful playing,” Wade defined within the media launch.
A bag of proof and two stacks of Canadian and American foreign money sit on a desk after an investigation into the Hells Angels gang in Waterloo Area. (Submitted: Ontario Provincial Police)
He additionally warned that members are inclined to make dangerous neighbours.
“In my opinion, they should be very careful,” Wade instructed Ontario Chronicle. “Violence follows outlaw motorcycle gangs. We saw a 60 per cent increase in violent occurrences involving outlaw motorcycle gangs between 2022 and 2023.”
The Might raids have been executed with assist from the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (London), OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (Windsor), OPP Provincial Joint Forces Weapons and Gangs Enforcement Group, OPP Provincial Auto Theft and Towing Group, OPP Ways and Rescue Unit, OPP Emergency Response Group, WRPS Prison Intelligence Department, WRPS Emergency Response Group, WRPS Direct Motion Response Teamand WRPS Uniform Division.
OPP stated their investigation is ongoing and are encouraging anybody with info on criminality related to outlaw bike gangs to name 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
– With reporting by Jeff Pickel
