Hells Angels charged with drug trafficking in Nova Scotia, Ontario: police
Posted Nov 2, 2017 02:16:28 PM.
Last Updated Nov 2, 2017 03:40:22 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
DARTMOUTH, N.S. – Police say two Hells Angels members from Nova Scotia and Ontario face drug trafficking and other charges after a nine-month investigation.
RCMP say Mark David Heickert — a full-patch gang member of the Oshawa Hells Angels — was arrested at a home in Orillia, Ont., without incident.
The 48-year-old man is charged with conspiracy to traffic in cocaine and conspiracy to possess proceeds of crime.
Paul Francis Monahan of Halifax, 61, is charged with several counts including trafficking in marijuana and conspiracy to traffic cocaine.
Police say they found two kilograms of cocaine and a sawed-off shotgun as they searched homes in Orillia and Ostrea Lake, N.S.
The Mounties also said they seized cash and small quantities of marijuana and unidentified pills at the Hells Angels clubhouse in Musquodoboit Harbour, N.S.
“Because of our strong partnerships with law enforcement throughout Nova Scotia and Ontario, we were able to disrupt the criminal actions of the Hells Angels and prevent drugs from reaching our streets,” RCMP Supt. Alfredo Bangloy said in a news release.
“We want outlaw motorcycle gangs to know that they have been a priority for law enforcement in Nova Scotia, and they will continue to be. They are not welcome in our communities.”
Police shut down the former Hells Angels chapter in Halifax in 2001 with a raid that imprisoned four of its seven members. Justice officials seized its clubhouse.
But the gang has resurfaced in recent years mainly through affiliates or “puppet clubs” in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P.E.I.
One of those associate clubs made headlines with a “welcome home” event in June 2016 at Musquodoboit Harbour which drew more than 100 bikers.
Last December, members linked to the Hells Angels in Woodbridge, Ont., held a party in Charlottetown to celebrate a new “hangaround club” for recruits who typically go through a lengthy initiation process to reach full-patch status.
Police link gang presence with higher addiction rates and crimes that feed drug habits such as home break-ins.
Monahan was to appear in provincial court in Dartmouth, N.S., Thursday.
Heickert was to appear Thursday in Ontario provincial court.
Police say more charges are expected as the investigation led by the Nova Scotia RCMP combined forces special enforcement unit continues. It started in February and has included several other RCMP teams along with Halifax Regional Police and the Ontario Provincial Police biker enforcement unit.
