An RCMP drug investigation that took nearly two years and involved authorities from Canada, the U.S., Panama and Mexico has resulted in charges against eight people, including some top members from the Hells Angels motorcycle gang in British Columbia.
The lengthy investigation, known as E-Predicate, led police to five locations in B.C. over the weekend, including the Hells Angels' clubhouse in Kelowna.
Officers seized an assault rifle, handguns and nearly $4 million in cash. Mounds of that cash - some of it mouldy - was on display as Supt. Brian Cantera of the RCMP Drug Enforcement Branch in B.C. announced the charges Monday.
"This investigation highlights the - continuing requirement to apply a global approach to the drug enforcement challenge," Cantera said.
David Giles, a vice-president of the gang's Kelowna chapter, was one of seven people arrested Saturday.
Police say he was picked up in a Vancouver casino, and is charged with conspiracy to import and traffic cocaine.
Kevin Van Kalkeren, Michael Read, James Howard, Orhan Saydam, Murray Trekofski and Shawn Womacks are all also facing various drug charges in relation to Saturday's arrests.
Brian Oldham was also charged, but he remains at large, and a Canadawide warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Cantera said the multijurisdictional investigation started in January 2011, when RCMP were looking into allegations that marijuana was being produced and trafficked in southeastern B.C.
Police then received information indicating that members of the Hells Angels were prepared to import and traffic 500 kilograms of cocaine.
Four years ago, a B.C. Supreme Court judge acquitted Giles of possessing cocaine and of having committed the offence for a criminal organization.
Judge Anne MacKenzie ruled there was no evidence that Giles ever handled the cocaine in question, and little evidence that he possessed the drugs.
Cantera would not elaborate on the recent 20-month investigation, but said he is confident of the quality of the evidence gathered.
"This case represents a blueprint of the majority of Canadian-based organized crime groups in their search for profits," he said.
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Wayne Rideout said the weekend arrests are significant, but added, "the reality is there is a great deal of this activity going on out there."
Kelowna RCMP Supt. Bill MacKinnon said Saturday's arrests have a huge implication for Kelowna, where he says eight organized crime groups have "firmly entrenched themselves in the community."
