Hells Angels Motorcycle Club named as a criminal organization in charges connected to cocaine Importation and Trafficking Conspiracy.
Additional charges have now been laid in the wake of the Federal Drug Enforcement Branch led investigation which netted 4 million dollars of alleged drug money. The Criminal Organization investigation, dubbed E-PREDICATE, lasted more than 20 months and benefited from contributions on the part of RCMP Detachments and specialized units throughout the Southeast District, various US law enforcement agencies, the Mexican Federal Police and Panamanian authorities. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada also worked diligently throughout the investigation to provide timely legal advice on a priority basis. The prosecution will proceed directly to trial with the approval of a direct indictment.
“The Outlaw Motorcycle Gang known as the Hells Angels played a substantial role within the E-Predicate investigation, says Superintendent Brian Cantera, Officer in Charge of the RCMP Drug Enforcement Branch in BC. “The complete disregard this group showed for Canadian families and public safety, both of which pay the devastating price exacted by drugs for criminal profit, should be of grave concern for all of us.”
In addition to the Importation charges, Kevin Van Kalkeren, David Giles, Michael Read, James Howard and Bryan Oldham have been charged with Conspiracy to Traffic a Controlled Substance in association with a Criminal Organization namely the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. As well, Kevin Van Kalkeren, David Giles, Michael Read, James Howard, Brian Oldham, Orhan Saydam, Murray Trekofski, and Shawn Womacks have been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Controlled Substance in association with a Criminal Organization namely the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club and all accused will be appearing in BC Supreme Court on Wednesday September 5, 2012 for their next appearance.
Giles is well known as the Vice President of the Kelowna Hells Angels Chapter, Brian Oldham is the Sgt-at-Arms for the same Chapter and the OMG Clubhouse was one of five locations secured and searched by the RCMP August 25, 2012.
“These new charges reflect the ongoing commitment of the RCMP to target the highest levels of Organized Crime groups operating here in British Columbia and the threat to Public Safety which they represent,” says RCMP Assistant Commissioner Wayne Rideout, Investigative Services and Organized Crime. “The appropriate resources are now focused upon the trial process and will continue to work diligently for as long as required to support the ongoing efforts of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.”
Photo and information supplied by BC RCMP