Hells Angels marking 35th anniversary in B.C. with party in Nanaimo

As the Hells Angels mark their 35th anniversary with a party in Nanaimo this weekend, police say the group continues to expand in B.C. despite a series of high- profile arrests and convictions over the last decade.

More than 300 bikers from across Canada are expected to celebrate the day the first three B.C. chapters were formed: July 23, 1983.

Since the 25th anniversary party in Langley a decade ago, members of B.C.’s most notorious gang have been murdered, shot, charged with murder and convicted of international drug smuggling, extortion, manslaughter and more.

The B.C. Hells Angels started with branches in Nanaimo, Vancouver and White Rock and have expanded to 10 chapters and 114 members, entry-level prospects and hangarounds — the term used for men hoping to join.

Police are in Nanaimo this weekend to gather information and make sure the biker festivities don’t get out of hand.

Sgt. Brenda Winpenny, of B.C.’s anti-gang Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, said “it’s well documented that many of the participants of these event are individuals and members of clubs associated to and who participate in criminal activities.”

CFSEU Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton noted the many high-profile cases in recent years that link the Hells Angels to violence, drug trafficking and other crimes.

In 2013, Kelowna Hells Angels Norm Cocks and Robert Thomas pleaded guilty to manslaughter for beating and killing Kelowna grandfather Dain Phillips as he attempted to resolve a dispute his sons had with Hells Angels associates. They were sentenced to 15 years.

In September 2016, two other Kelowna Hells Angels were convicted for their roles in an international cocaine importing scheme cooked up by police as part of an undercover operation.

A month later, Mission Hells Angels Bob Green was shot and killed at an all-night booze and drug party in Langley.

This year, West Point Hells Angel Larry Amero was charged with conspiracy to commit murder for plots that left two rivals dead in 2012. And B.C. Hells Angels Jason Arkinstall and Chad Wilson were convicted in Spain of importing cocaine.

“I think it is fair to say that there’s a portion of the public who sees through their lies and sees through this free-living, charity-riding mystique that they want to portray and see them for what they are, a significant international criminal organization,” Houghton said. “They are still expanding, they are still looking to shore up their power base and ensure that they maintain the highest levels of influence and intimidation within the criminal landscape, the organized crime landscape.”

Nanaimo Mayor Bill McKay said Thursday that he doesn’t expect any problems at this year’s party.

“To be honest with you, they used to come to the city every year and have a big party out at Angel Acres. I don’t believe they were ever much of a problem,” he said of the bikers and their large property, which the B.C. government is trying to seize through a civil forfeiture case.

“I don’t expect that they will cause the community any challenges.”

He said the provincial government would be covering the costs of the extra police in town for the weekend.

Asked if he considers the Hells Angels an organized crime group, McKay said: “Police would know better than myself, but I believe there are connections there, yes. Police are doing their job to ensure the safety of our community, and we thank them for that.”

Hells Angels spokesman Rick Ciarniello did not respond to requests for an interview about the anniversary. Ciarniello has been a fixture in the courtroom during the civil forfeiture trial over the fate of three clubhouses that a government agency says would be used to commit future crimes if the Hells Angels were allowed to keep them.

The trial began in April and has been adjourned until the fall.

Houghton said that despite the efforts of the police, some in the public still support the Hells Angels and “think they are OK people.”

“We still see when they do these rides, that people come out to watch them because they are interested,” he said.

Seventy-one per cent of B.C.’s Hells Angels have criminal records for violence offences, Houghton said.

And the Hells Angels have links to other gangs, such as the Red Scorpions, Independent Soldiers and Wolf Pack that have been directly involved in a violent gang war over the last decade, centred in the Vancouver area.

“We know as the province’s gang agency that we have a lot of work to do to educate the public about what these people and the groups and what they reputations really are,” he said.