Hells Angel Who Couldn't Drive Arrested In Vernon
Greg Carr
Hells Angel busted in B.C. Interior
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 9, 2006 | 3:26 PM PT
CBC News
The RCMP in the Okanagan say they have arrested a member of the Hells
Angels from the Lower Mainland who appeared to be driving under the
influence of drugs and was carrying a loaded handgun.
Vernon RCMP spokesman Cpl. Henry Proce says the 52-year-old man was
taken into custody Tuesday night after officers pulled over an old
pickup truck that was being driven erratically.
When the officers entered his name on the computer, they discovered he
is a full member of the White Rock chapter of the Hells Angels, said
Proce
"Subsequent to that, we did a more thorough search of the vehicle. What
was particularly disconcerting for police was the fact we found a fully
loaded revolver within reach of the driver."
Police say the suspect was also armed with two knives, and there was a
hatchet in the cab of the pickup plus a small quantity of drugs.
Proce says it is a big arrest for the small Okanagan city.
"It's pretty rare. I mean, they come through here the odd time, and
we're aware of some wannabes living in the Vernon area. But it's pretty
rare that you get a full patch-wearing member committing these kinds of
offences in Vernon."
David Alan Stewart is charged with possession of a restricted weapon
and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Drug charges are
still pending, the police said.
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At least he didn't fall over on his motorcycle. Might have been in town
to inspect the meth and crack labs which HA run in Vernon just like
they run in Kelowna. As usual the RCMP are downplaying the significance
of the HA in Vernon just like they originally did in K-Town, Surrey,
Vancouver and just about everywhere else the 81 crew shows up. Their
associate in Vernon, Peter Manolakos Jr, was arrested a while back for
murder and drug charges.
I can see good reasons for someone to carry knives (he might have to
cut off his seat belt if he crashed the truck into a ditch while high
on drugs) and even a hatchet ( he might want to cut firewood on an
unplanned hike) but there is no lawful reason to be carrying a revolver
or driving while intoxicated.
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RCMP investigating B.C. town's alleged crime ring
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060527/crime_ve...
has pic of the father of the convicted drug dealer accussed of leading
the drug gang and the business it was run from.
Updated: Sat. May. 27 2006 11:46 PM ET
Undercover RCMP agents arrested several people in B.C.'s Okanagan
Valley Saturday, following an investigation into an alleged criminal
organization.
"This group in the Vernon area is very well known by the whole
community as 'The Greeks,' and it's an organization run by one
individual," alleged Sgt. Al Haslett in an interview with CTV Vancouver
on Saturday.
The group has apparently operated in the small city of 50,000 for
years, and is suspected of murder and drug trafficking.
"One of the biggest things we found is that because The Greeks are so
well known in the Vernon area, and so feared by the people of the
community, that people were refusing to talk to us," Haslett said.
Between 2004 and 2005, there were seven murders and disappearances in
Vernon.
One of those arrested Saturday was 38-year-old Peter Manolakos Jr., but
his father said his son is not involved in any criminal activity.
"They took him," said Peter Manolakos Sr. "There is no reason because
nothing happened."
He said the police harassed his son because he was convicted of drug
charges in the late 1990s.
Manolako added that he had never heard of any crime group called The
Greeks.
Police allege The Greeks were involved in smuggling cocaine and heroin,
and have ties to biker gangs.
"The Hells Angels out of Calgary and Kelowna have sanctioned The Greeks
in Vernon to carry out their drug trafficking business," alleged
Haslett.
RCMP officers are carrying out multiple searches in both North Okanagan
and the lower mainland.
A modest Vernon pizza restaurant allegedly served as a front for The
Greeks' illegal activities.
It's unclear how many people were arrested, but CTV Vancouver's Kate
Corcoran estimated as many as eight.
Those charged will appear in provincial court on Monday.
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10 arrested in Vernon drug roundup
Last updated May 29 2006 11:00 AM PDT
CBC News
The RCMP say they have dealt a blow to an alleged drug-trafficking gang
in the Okanagan, arresting 10 suspects in Vernon over the weekend.
Police say they believe members of the gang are responsible for up to
seven murders in the Vernon area over the past two years
Sgt. Al Haslett of the RCMP's Criminal Intelligence Section said the
gang is run by the biggest cocaine trafficker in the North Okanagan,
who is associated with the Hells Angels in Kelowna, Vancouver and
Calgary.
Haslett said the weekend arrests are the efforts of an RCMP task force
that was put together last September. It was investigating the murders
of five people and the disappearance of two others.
Police believe all seven cases are drug related, and that most, if not
all of them, were committed by members of the gang.
Earlier this year, the RCMP raided a warehouse in Vernon owned by a
Hells Angels associate from Calgary, but made no arrests.
Charges of first-degree murder and drug trafficking are expected to be
laid in Vernon court later today.
http://www.cbc.ca/bc/story/bc_drug-arrests20060529.html
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on investigating and arresting these criminals. Good luck and
happy hunting RCMP but you seem to be downplaying this incident. No
wonder ppl don't want to talk to you if they think you don't have any
idea of what is going on. More reward money might help as well.
The Hells Angels and their t-shirt and baseball cap wearing supporters
do no good for the community. They manufacture and sell meth, pimp out
prostitutes, sell cocaine and crack and engage in extortion, arson and
homicide. They also intimidate witnesses, threaten ppl and steal
motorcycles, they also sell cocaine and counterfeit money. Put them in
prison, confiscate their assets and put their children in foster care.
Liberal MP David McQuinty who sits on the
House of Commons Justice Committee is trying to get HA designated a
terrorist group which is great if it happens. If you agree send him a
letter or email.
Liberal MP David McQuinty
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6 Postage not required.
Telephone: (613) 992-3269
Fax: (613) 995-1534
EMail: McGui...@parl.gc.ca
Web Site:* www.davidmcguinty.com/