Pubdate: Sun, 11 Nov 2007
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Ethan Baron
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers)

HELLS ANGELS BUNKER RAIDED

Clubhouse Seized, May Be Auctioned To Help Crime Victims

NANAIMO - Some three dozen police stormed the Hells Angels clubhouse 
in Nanaimo on Friday -- securing the building so the provincial 
government can seize it.

The strike group included a heavily armed tactical team.

The building was unoccupied at the time of the 11 a.m. raid.

"A number of club members attended the clubhouse after we came on 
scene," said Nanaimo RCMP Const. Jen Allan. "There were no incidents, 
but they did attend to determine what occurred."

The seizure, which freezes the property so it can't be used, 
mortgaged or sold, was accomplished through the Civil Forfeiture Act.

Under the act, the B.C. Supreme Court can order property forfeited to 
the government if it's proven in civil court to be acquired with 
crime money or used for crime.

B.C. Hells Angels spokesman Rick Ciarniello said the idea the 
clubhouse, located at 805 Victoria Road, could have been bought with 
proceeds of crime was "nonsense."

"They've had that place for so long, how could that have been 
acquired with anything but legal money?" Ciarniello said.

The clubhouse was purchased for about $50,000 more than 17 years ago 
and is now worth $100,000, according to the 2007 property assessment.

After a 2003 raid on the clubhouse by masked police, three Hells 
Angels and an associate were charged with cocaine trafficking and 
conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

No arrests were made in connection with Friday's raid.

B.C. is pursuing more than 60 cases in its civil forfeiture office.

Since the act came into force in May 2006, more than $2 million in 
cash and assets has been "turned over to taxpayers," according to the 
provincial government.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman