Jake
June 25th, 2003, 10:15 PM
The federal justice minister is considering declaring the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club a terrorist organization, based on a secretive seizure by the RCMP at Montreal's Dorval airport. Although Canadian authorities are saying little about the criminal investigation involving a member of the club, and have refused to identify what was found, according to published reports a seizure of a club member's colors and questions about an unexplained quantity of cash at the international airport has triggered a call for the club to be added to the federal government's list of terrorist organizations.
The seizure occurred after several members of the Hells Angels returned to Canada on December 2, 2002, from a meeting in Europe, and although authorities remain tight-lipped, sources told the National Post newspaper that a jacket and other items of clothing bearing the Hells Angels logo were confiscated. $2,600 in cash was questioned, but not seized, and no charges have been filed. The colors were being carried in the member's luggage while passing through Canada Customs.
Authorities told the newspaper that the club has no known ties to well-known terrorist groups, but the way the group is run falls within parameters of the current anti-terrorism law. Canada currently lists 16 groups as being involved in terrorism, including al Qaida, Hezbollah and Hamas.
The incident has prompted discussion about applying the wide-ranging powers approved after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States to fight criminal organizations. Such a move would make it far easier to prosecute and seize the assets of outlaw motorcycle club members.
"I'd love to see it get easier for us [to prosecute them]. We are always open for that," said Commander Mario Plante, head of the organized crime division of Montreal police.
A member of the Hells Angels, who spoke on condition he not be named, said linking the club to terrorist activity is offensive. "It belittles how important the fight against terrorism is," he said.
"Our parents fought in World War II," he told the newspaper. "The Hells Angels' original members were born out of having fought the Nazis and every Hells Angel would be the first to line up in defense of their country."
The seizure occurred after several members of the Hells Angels returned to Canada on December 2, 2002, from a meeting in Europe, and although authorities remain tight-lipped, sources told the National Post newspaper that a jacket and other items of clothing bearing the Hells Angels logo were confiscated. $2,600 in cash was questioned, but not seized, and no charges have been filed. The colors were being carried in the member's luggage while passing through Canada Customs.
Authorities told the newspaper that the club has no known ties to well-known terrorist groups, but the way the group is run falls within parameters of the current anti-terrorism law. Canada currently lists 16 groups as being involved in terrorism, including al Qaida, Hezbollah and Hamas.
The incident has prompted discussion about applying the wide-ranging powers approved after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States to fight criminal organizations. Such a move would make it far easier to prosecute and seize the assets of outlaw motorcycle club members.
"I'd love to see it get easier for us [to prosecute them]. We are always open for that," said Commander Mario Plante, head of the organized crime division of Montreal police.
A member of the Hells Angels, who spoke on condition he not be named, said linking the club to terrorist activity is offensive. "It belittles how important the fight against terrorism is," he said.
"Our parents fought in World War II," he told the newspaper. "The Hells Angels' original members were born out of having fought the Nazis and every Hells Angel would be the first to line up in defense of their country."