Outlaw bikers to converge on Avalon peninsula, central Newfoundland, RCMP say

Members of outlaw motorcycle gang Bacchus and affiliate clubs from other parts of Canada are heading to central and eastern Newfoundland next week for a run, RCMP say.

The club has a chapter in Grand Falls-Windsor, and according to the RCMP, there are three other outlaw groups that operate in the province. They are often known as "one-per-center" clubs, as they represent a tiny fraction of overall motorcycle users. 

RCMP Staff Sgt. Boyd Merrill said there are events planned in central as well as on the Avalon Peninsula. They are expected to draw members from across the country. 

"The reason we're monitoring this organized crime group is [that] they are involved in drug-related violence, they're involved in counterfeiting, money laundering. They're also involved in prostitution and extortion and violence, and those are all criminal activities that are not welcome in the province within Newfoundland and Labrador," Merrill told CBC News on Friday.

Transportation points monitored

Merrill said there will be officers stationed at the Marine Atlantic terminals, airports and on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Members of the RCMP's crime suppression team will also be attending every planned activity, Merrill said.

"There will be no gaps in enforcement within the activities that we planned for these runs and future runs."

It's expected between 100 and 200 people will participate in the events, which Merrill described as a small turnout.

"Motorcycle gangs often use social media now to plan events and they also try to manipulate the public's view of perception of these groups," he said. "They often portray themselves as fundraising, law-abiding groups." 

But Merrill said the public has nothing to worry about, stressing this isn't a warning for residents.

He said the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and RCMP are asking that anyone who witnesses illegal biker activity to call police or Crime Stoppers.