Hells Angels organizing on P.E.I., say RCMP
Changes in motorcycle groups noticed this summer
The RCMP says it has received credible intelligence that a Hells Angels-affiliated group is forming on Prince Edward Island this year.
That would follow the opening of a club in Nova Scotia this summer
RCMP suspect membership of the club will be made up of former members of other motorcycle clubs in P.E.I.
"We've, over the last year especially, been seeing an increase in the number of Hells Angels visits to Prince Edward Island," said RCMP Cpl Andy Cook, outlaw motorcycle gang coordinator for the province.
Cook said it is not yet clear if the new club will be a Hells Angels chapter, or an affiliated or puppet club.
Coastal access attractive, say police
Staff Sgt. Len Isnor of Ontario Provincial Police Biker Enforcement Unit believes the Atlantic provinces is attractive to the Hells Angels because of its coastal access.
"Most of the cocaine that comes into this country will come in by boat, whether that be through one of our ports, or through what they call 'offloads'," which Isnor says are locations where drugs can be unloaded in smaller harbours.
Isnor says the Hell's Angels is a world-wide organization, with chapters in more than 50 countries with more than 6,000 members.
For the past seven years, a large number of Hells Angels members have been behind bars or under strict court-imposed recognizance after a police sweep in Quebec and New Brunswick.
Now, says Isnor, those Hells Angels members are out of jail and free to travel.
"Now they're back on the streets, a lot more organized, there's not as many incarcerated."
"There's no Hells Angels associated clubs that look after their interests in the province of Prince Edward Island," he added. "They're probably intending to make that association."
Hells Angels requires its chapters to have a minimum of six members, said Isnor.
Bacchus Club 'expanded'
RCMP on P.E.I. also say it has confirmed that the Bacchus Motorcycle Club "has expanded their membership" with the addition of new members and a group in the Alberton area.
RCMP say Bacchus is also considered a one-per cent club — which police say, "shows that the person or club wearing the patch or having this designation is an outlaw biker and refuses to conform to society's rules."
Bacchus has chapters across the Maritimes, say RCMP, and the P.E.I. chapter was formed in 2012 in Kings County.
When one motorcycle expands it puts pressure on other clubs to do the same, said Cook.
Cook said, to his knowledge, there have never been any motorcycle gang related arrests or charges on Prince Edward Island.
Looking for public help
Police are seeking public assistance in identifying the membership of one per cent motorcycle clubs and any activities they may be involved in, and in particular any information about a new Hells Angels-affiliated group.
This is your Island. It's not their Island.- RCMP Cpl. Andy Cook
Cook said there has already been a fair amount of information gathered, including some names of people considering signing up for a new club.
Cook suspects the main reason Hells Angels want to move onto the Island is to claim the turf, and called on Islanders to not allow that to happen.
"We want you to take ownership. This is your Island. It's not their Island," he said.
"A lot of what's happening here is about turf, and if we want this to remain the gentle Island we have to take action."
Show of colours
Motorcycle clubs affiliated with the Hells Angels "would have a diamond on their colours to show their association," explained Isnor, referring to the patches worn on club vests and jackets.
Hells Angels' colours are red and white, while Bacchus' are black and gold.
RCMP are accepting anonymous information, and tips can also be called into Crime Stoppers.
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