Pubdate: Wed, 28 Mar 2007
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Kim Bolan, Vancouver Sun
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers)

SECRET DRUG SIGNALS OF THE HELLS ANGELS

Accused Turned His Wrist Like He Was Starting A Car To Indicate Meth 
Order, Man Testifies

Over dinner at an east Vancouver Chinese restaurant in August, 2004, 
Hells Angels member Ronnie Lising turned his wrist like he was 
starting a car to show that he needed "a key" -- a kilogram -- of 
methamphetamine, a police agent told B.C. Supreme Court Tuesday.

Michael Plante, who infiltrated the notorious biker gang for the 
RCMP, said he thought Lising wanted to purchase a kilo of cocaine, 
but the full-patch Hells Angel said "no, the other stuff " meaning meth.

Lising and Hells Angels associate Nima Ghavami are facing trafficking 
charges after a massive RCMP undercover operation dubbed E-Pandora, 
which resulted in the 2005 arrests of 18 people, including six 
full-patch Hells Angels. Details of the sophisticated $10-million 
high-tech probe involving multiple wiretaps and surveillance cameras 
were revealed to Justice Victor Curtis Tuesday.

Plante testified that he got the kilo of meth for Lising from his 
associate Kerry Ryan Renaud, who was making and selling meth along 
with East End chapter Hells Angel John Punko.

Renaud was captured on two police surveillance videos delivering a 
bag to Plante in a New Westminster parking lot that the police agent 
said contained the methamphetamine and cash to be divided between 
Plante and Punko.

A video shown to Curtis of the transaction was taken by a camera 
hidden in the trunk of a Mustang car police had given Plante.

The two can be seen from the neck down standing over the trunk and 
having a discussion about the cost of the kilo -- $13,000 -- and who 
would get what from the profits.

A second video of the same meeting was taken from some distance away 
by the RCMP showing both Renaud and Plante standing over the trunk of 
the same car.

Plante testified that he told Renaud not to mention to Punko that the 
meth was for Lising.

"I didn't want him to tell Punko that we were doing a deal with 
Ronnie because Punko didn't want Ryan dealing with any other Hells 
Angel," he said.

Plante said that before and after each drug transaction or other 
meetings with the targets of the police investigation, he would call 
his RCMP handlers or meet them at his safehouse.

After the Renaud delivery, he said he drove to meet the RCMP who took 
the cash intended for Plante, but left what the agent was to deliver to Punko.

"I took it to my safehouse and the handlers retrieved it from the 
trunk and took it from there," he testified.

Plante, who has been promised $1 million by the RCMP for his 
infiltration work, said Ghavami was also involved in the 
methamphetamine operation.

Plante testified that he made a mistake when he first told Lising a 
kilo of meth would cost him $11,000. He had to later explain the 
actual price was $13,000 to which he says Lising made a reference to 
an Angels prospect who was always overcharging for drugs.

Plante explained to federal prosecutor Martha Devlin that he had no 
choice but to deliver the kilo of meth once Lising asked him for it.

"It's not like I can say 'no, beat it,'" Plante explained. "I 
couldn't say no to Mr. Lising because I was trying to get into the 
club. He's in the club and he is very influential."

Other surveillance videos played in court show Plante meeting Lising 
at several Lower Mainland locations, usually near a gym or a 
favourite eatery, including one showing Lising at 41st and Main in 
Vancouver walking over to a large tree to chat with the agent.

A phone conversation played in court Tuesday has Lising telling 
Plante that he has permission to smash in the teeth of an associate 
who has been name-dropping.

"Anyone who starts rapping my name is not a friend of mine," Lising said.

Lising lawyer Greg DelBigio objected to the use of some of the taped 
material, saying it is irrelevant to the charge against Lising and 
could "reflect poorly on my client."

Curtis said he accepted that some of the tape was simply part of the 
Crown's narrative and not evidence.

The trial, which is expected to last four weeks, is scheduled to continue today.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman