Nickatilynx
01-24-2005, 08:24 PM
Biker gang leaders arrested in drug bust
Camille Bains
Canadian Press
Monday, January 24, 2005
VANCOUVER (CP) -- The Mounties have arrested the leaders of two outlaw biker gangs and eight of their associates in hopes of making a major dent in British Columbia's illegal drug trade.
All 10 men made their first court appearance Monday.
They include Norman Krogstad, president of the Vancouver chapter of the Hells Angels, who faces 14 counts of trafficking in cocaine.
Three of Krogstad's associates were also charged with trafficking in marijuana and cocaine.
Members of the Prince George Renegades, a spinoff gang of the Angels in northern British Columbia, were also charged.
William Moore, president of the Renegades, faces three counts of trafficking in cocaine, while three of his six associates have been charged with drug and firearms offences.
"This is a tremendous victory for the police in British Columbia," said Sgt. Dave Goddard of the RCMP's Greater Vancouver Drug Section at a news conference Monday.
"It will certainly have a significant impact on the way they conduct their business," he said of outlaw motorcycle gangs.
The Mounties' 20-month investigation included an agent who infiltrated both gangs.
Police seized $100,000 in cash, 11 kilograms of marijuana, 14 kilograms of cocaine and several restricted and prohibited weapons that included an AK-47 assault rifle.
"This intelligence-led, provincial investigation has successfully stopped these organized crime groups from trafficking enormous amounts of illegal drugs in communities across this province," Goddard said.
"Organized crime will not profit, nor will our citizens be at additional risk from the effects, side effects and consequences of taking the dangerous and illegal drugs contained in these major seizures."
News of the arrests came on the same day the Liberal government announced the addition of 215 new police officers around the province this year and an injection of $122 million for policing, courts and corrections.
Goddard said the extra resources will help deal with the chronic problem of understaffing.
"If the province is indeed putting more manpower and resources into it, it should have a significant effect on the other end and I'm sure that we'll see more of these investigations being conducted in the province."
Derek Timmins, Darrin Massey and George McBeth of Prince George face multiple firearms charges while Jason Townsend and David Gerow are charged with one count each of trafficking in cocaine.
Hells Angels member Cedric Smith faces 11 counts of trafficking in cocaine and Jason Arkinstall is charged with one count of trafficking in the same drug.
David O'Hara, a former member of the Hells Angels and member of the Mission City chapter of the gang, faces three counts of trafficking in marijuana and one count of trafficking in cocaine.
Goddard said more arrests may still be made.
Camille Bains
Canadian Press
Monday, January 24, 2005
VANCOUVER (CP) -- The Mounties have arrested the leaders of two outlaw biker gangs and eight of their associates in hopes of making a major dent in British Columbia's illegal drug trade.
All 10 men made their first court appearance Monday.
They include Norman Krogstad, president of the Vancouver chapter of the Hells Angels, who faces 14 counts of trafficking in cocaine.
Three of Krogstad's associates were also charged with trafficking in marijuana and cocaine.
Members of the Prince George Renegades, a spinoff gang of the Angels in northern British Columbia, were also charged.
William Moore, president of the Renegades, faces three counts of trafficking in cocaine, while three of his six associates have been charged with drug and firearms offences.
"This is a tremendous victory for the police in British Columbia," said Sgt. Dave Goddard of the RCMP's Greater Vancouver Drug Section at a news conference Monday.
"It will certainly have a significant impact on the way they conduct their business," he said of outlaw motorcycle gangs.
The Mounties' 20-month investigation included an agent who infiltrated both gangs.
Police seized $100,000 in cash, 11 kilograms of marijuana, 14 kilograms of cocaine and several restricted and prohibited weapons that included an AK-47 assault rifle.
"This intelligence-led, provincial investigation has successfully stopped these organized crime groups from trafficking enormous amounts of illegal drugs in communities across this province," Goddard said.
"Organized crime will not profit, nor will our citizens be at additional risk from the effects, side effects and consequences of taking the dangerous and illegal drugs contained in these major seizures."
News of the arrests came on the same day the Liberal government announced the addition of 215 new police officers around the province this year and an injection of $122 million for policing, courts and corrections.
Goddard said the extra resources will help deal with the chronic problem of understaffing.
"If the province is indeed putting more manpower and resources into it, it should have a significant effect on the other end and I'm sure that we'll see more of these investigations being conducted in the province."
Derek Timmins, Darrin Massey and George McBeth of Prince George face multiple firearms charges while Jason Townsend and David Gerow are charged with one count each of trafficking in cocaine.
Hells Angels member Cedric Smith faces 11 counts of trafficking in cocaine and Jason Arkinstall is charged with one count of trafficking in the same drug.
David O'Hara, a former member of the Hells Angels and member of the Mission City chapter of the gang, faces three counts of trafficking in marijuana and one count of trafficking in cocaine.
Goddard said more arrests may still be made.