Police searched a Coquitlam home last Saturday as part of a series of raids across B.C. that uncovered an alleged international drug ring involving the Hells Angels.
On Tuesday, federal RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Duncan Pound declined to give details of the search on the Coquitlam home, identify who owned it or comment on whether evidence had been found. But Pound confirmed the home was not the Hell's Angels clubhouse in Maillardville.
The 20-month police investigation focused on marijuana grow-ops in the Okanagan that were being used to help import cocaine into Canada. At a press conference on Monday, RCMP said the Kelowna Hell's Angels clubhouse was one of the five locations searched over the weekend with raids also conducted in Kamloops, Osoyoos, Vernon and Coquitlam.
On Monday in Vancouver, the RCMP displayed stacks of $50 and $100 bills as they gave reporters a briefing on five raids conducted throughout the province to take down an international drug smuggling operation. RCMP are not confirming which of the locations the cash was seized from.
"The investigation began in November 2011 and initially focused upon the evidence suggesting a marijuana and trafficking organization was active in the southeast district of British Columbia," Supt. Brian Cantera, officer in charge of the RCMP Drug Enforcement Branch in B.C. explained at the press conference. "RCMP gathered evidence indicating the drug trafficking organization was prepared to import and traffic 500 kg of cocaine."
Along with the $4 million dollars seized, RCMP say they also found an assault rifle and handguns at one of the raid locations.
"This investigation demonstrated how organized criminal groups engaged in drug trafficking have no respect for municipal, provincial or international borders," Cantera said. "More concerning is the complete disregard these groups show for Canadian families and public safety, both of which pay the devastating price exacted for criminal profits," Cantera said in his statement.
Cantera said the case demonstrates the role marijuana, a drug oft-characterized as harmless, plays in the drug trade.
"The evidence gathered through this investigation is a stark reminder of the central role marijuana plays in the international drug trade and the influx of dangerous drugs like cocaine into Canada," said Cantera. "The flow of marijuana, synthetic drugs and cocaine has always been, and continues to be, international in scope and all effective drug enforcement efforts have recognized this fact."
The investigation took 20 months and saw the Southeast District RCMP work with the Mexican Federal Police, U.S. law enforcement and Panamanian authorities.
David Giles, vice-president of the Kelowna chapter of the Hell's Angels, Kevin Van Kalkeren, Michael Read and James Howard are charged with conspiracy to import a controlled substance and conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance; four other men have been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. The six in custody were to appear in court Monday.
