Bikers dealt body blow.

Bikers dealt body blow. Raids, arrests of top figures seriously weaken local Hells Angels

They have spent the past year dodging bullets and firebombs while locked in a violent street war with an emerging new rival. But a more familiar foe has struck again, dealing the depleted Hells Angels another blow in their quest for organized-crime dominance. Arrested: Dale Jason Sweeney, 41, Hells Angels president Roderick Patrick Sweeney, 43, Hells Angels member Carmine Puteri, 39, Hells Angels member Kurtis Donald Scott, 40, Hells Angels associate Christopher Allan Gerula, 34, Hells Angels associate Brendin Kyle Wall, 24, Redlined member Thomas Clinton Barnecki, 31, Redlined associate Jonathon Stewart, 31, Redlined associate Donovan Michael Lafrance, 27, Redlined prospect Buildings searched: Residence, 100 block of Autumnview Drive (above) Residence, 300 block of Edison Avenue Residence, 900 block of Norwich Avenue Residence, 800 block of Government Avenue Residence, 200 block of Fairhaven Road Business, 1000 block of Redonda Street More than 150 Winnipeg police officers capped off a 10-month investigation Friday by arresting 11 prominent gang members and associates. The biggest was Hells Angels president Dale Sweeney, whose lavish home in a new Waverley West development was raided by heavily armed tactical unit members. His brother, Rod, a full-patch member, was also arrested. Other properties in North Kildonan, East Kildonan, Elmwood, Transcona and Linden Woods were searched. Organized crime Insp. Rick Guyader said there are only four local members of the Hells Angels not in custody -- putting them in violation of the biker gang's own charter, which requires at least seven active members to function. "They'll have to shut down until they can recruit some other people," Guyader said Friday. "It's a very big deal." Police seized an estimated two kilograms of cocaine and an undisclosed amount of cash and will lay various charges, including trafficking, proceeds of crime, money laundering and participating in a criminal organization. Further arrests are expected. Operation Flatlined is the fourth major bust of the Manitoba Hells Angels since 2006. The three previous projects -- Defence (2006), Drill (2007) and Divide (2009) -- led to 62 biker arrests, including former presidents Ernie Dew and Dale Donovan. Unlike those previous projects, police did not use a paid informant in Flatlined. Sources told the Free Press the undercover probe relied on court-ordered wiretaps that allowed police to gain insight and evidence. "This is the first time this type of investigation has been used in this type of crime across the country. We're very pleased. I can say from my experience, this is one of the best projects that has come together," Guyader said. The Flatlined code name is a direct reference to the Redlined Support Crew, which is serving as a puppet club of the Hells Angels. The Hells Angels created the Redlined gang in 2010 to stand up to other criminal networks that might muscle in on their former drug turf after many of their members were arrested and jailed following the other police stings. At the top of that list was the Rock Machine, which waged war with the Hells Angels in Quebec during the 1990s but has never had much of a presence in Manitoba until recently. Tensions escalated last summer with more than a dozen reported incidents, including drive-by shootings and firebombings between Redlined and Rock Machine members, which prompted police to canvass neighbourhoods where well-known bike gang members lived, to warn residents an active gang war was underway. Activity quieted down during the winter, but sources say tensions were still high and the battle over lucrative drug turf was expected to heat up as spring arrives. Guyader confirmed Friday the ongoing biker battle was the impetus for Flatlined. The Hells Angels are once again left picking up the pieces of their gang while others will likely try to fill the void. "And we'll be on top of that," he said. Guyader admitted that doesn't mean an end to organized-crime violence. History has shown other less stable groups, including street gangs, will try to flex their muscle when the Hells are weakened. Police were seen removing two vehicles from Sweeney's Autumnview Drive home. Police will likely move to take control of such goods as part of the Criminal Property Forfeiture Act. At another raid on Government Avenue in East Kildonan, seven police cars established a perimeter around a home while an ambulance sat nearby. Police monitored traffic flow in the area and turned vehicles and pedestrians away. Residents said they never guessed their neighbours were part of the city's underworld. They identified the home as belonging to a couple with three kids: a teenage boy about 17, a girl about 12 and another girl, about 8. The mother is a teacher in the city, one neighbour reported. All appeared to be taken in by police, witnesses told the Free Press.

Hells Angels prez arrested in Manitoba police raids

Hells Angels prez arrested in Manitoba police raids Police raids target Hells Angels

WINNIPEG — Police arrested the current president of the Manitoba Hells Angels and eight others Friday in a series of busts that police believe will cripple the outlaw biker gang. An operation police dubbed Project Flatlined -- an obvious shot at Redlined, which is the Hells Angels puppet club -- rolled out across Winnipeg Friday, with more than 150 officers taking part in raids at an auto parts business and five homes, including a Winnipeg house sources say belongs to current Hells Angels president Dale Sweeney. Sweeney, one of the province's original Hells Angels, was among those arrested, as was his brother Rod, who is also a full-patch HA member. Seven others, including members and associates of the HA and Redlined, were also arrested, while more arrests are expected. All those arrested, except for Rod Sweeney and HA member Carmine Puteri, will be facing a variety of charges including drug trafficking, laundering money and participating in a criminal organization. Police allege the biker gang and its support crew control a good portion of the drug trade in Manitoba, but expect these busts to have a significant impact on their ability to operate. "It should hinder the organization," said Insp. Rick Guyader. "They'll have to shut down until they can recruit some other people into their line of business." Guyader said it would be "naive" not to expect other gangs to attempt to fill the void, but had a message for at least one potential competitor. "The Rock Machine is in our sights," he said. The raid at Sweeney's home Friday raised eyebrows in the posh Waverley West neighbourhood. When Wes Bergen arrived at the new subdivision to work installing insulation, he noticed two police cruiser cars. "I figured that's a bit much for a parking ticket," he said. Sweeney was sentenced to six years in prison in 2002 for his role in a biker feud that occurred the previous summer. It started when former Spartan Kevin Sylvester shot Rod Sweeney while he sat in a tow truck with his young son. One month and three-related shootings later, Sylvester was shot behind the wheel. Sylvester pleaded guilty in April 2002 to discharging a firearm with intent in connection with Sweeney's shooting. Later that year, Dale Sweeney was sentenced for his role in shooting back at Sylvester.

More talker than biker

More talker than biker By Tamara King ,Winnipeg Sun First posted: Saturday, March 03, 2012

A Manitoba man who police say once claimed to be the Canadian president of the Vagos never actually became a member, says a well-placed source within the biker gang. Jamie Christopher Korne, 40, who was nabbed recently in a major drugs and gun trafficking bust, was going to head up a local chapter but failed to meet with Vagos brass in the U.S. to seal the deal and seemingly vanished for a year, the source tells the Winnipeg Sun. "He never actually became one. He was supposed to fly out, but he never showed up," said the source. The Vagos were speaking out after Korne's arrest in Project Deplete. In all, 16 people were swept up in the police operation. Court documents related to the bust say that police were concerned about Korne's potential access to guns and associations with gangs. "Korne told the agent during the course of Project Deplete that he is the national president of the Vagos gang," cops said in court documents unsealed in February. Korne — a former Manitoba Bandidos member also linked to the reformed Rock Machine gang — is accused of selling hundreds of grams of cocaine to a police snitch. The two drug transactions took place last October and Jan. 9, court documents state. "I don't want my motorcycle club associated with that crap," said the source. "We're in it for the biking and the brotherhood." The source also denies the Vagos presence in Winnipeg "at all," he said. Dubbed the "Green Nation", the Vagos have members in southern Ontario. In the U.S., the Department of Justice alleges the Vagos have been implicated in assault, extortion, fraud, murder, witness intimidation and other crimes. Traditionally, they're arch rivals to the Hells Angels. The allegations against Korne have not been proven and he is presumed innocent.

Biker busted in Project Deplete

Biker busted in Project Deplete By James Turner ,Winnipeg Sun First posted: Sunday, February 26,

A sweeping drug-and-guns dragnet by Manitoba cops has snared the reputed national president of a biker gang gaining police attention in Canada, the Winnipeg Sun has learned. Jamie Christopher Korne, 40, was nabbed last week for his alleged role in Project Deplete, a months-long covert investigation into drug and weapons trafficking. Korne — a former Manitoba Bandidos member who cops claim also once was linked to the reformed Rock Machine gang — is accused of selling hundreds of grams of cocaine to a police snitch paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to inform on the activities of people suspected of being major players in the provincial drug underworld. The two drug transactions Korne is accused in took place last October and as recently as Jan. 9, court documents state. Cops quietly sought arrest warrants for 16 suspects in the case. Each have been directly indicted into court. All are presumed innocent and the allegations have not been proven. The warrant pertaining to Korne was of the so-called "no-knock" variety, allowing them to enter a Boissevain suite unannounced. In court documents, cops say they were concerned about Korne's potential access to guns and associations with gangs. "Korne told the agent during the course of Project Deplete that he is the national president of the Vagos gang," cops said in court documents unsealed last week after his arrest. "Korne told the agent that he along with his associates have access to firearms," the affidavit said. Ontario gang police warned a year ago of the growing threat the California-based Vagos Motorcycle Club posed through an apparent expansion north of the border. "We would like to welcome Canada to the Green Nation," the club announced on its website last spring. The U.S. department of Justice alleges the Vagos, comprised of hundreds of members across the U.S and Mexico, have been implicated in assault, extortion, fraud, murder, witness intimidation and other crimes. Traditionally, they're arch rivals to the Hells Angels. In November 2010, the gang — also known as Green Nation — absorbed nine Toronto-area Rock Machine members. Police were searching for Korne since early February, but didn't track him down until the morning of Feb. 22 in the community of Newdale, about 20 kilometres northwest of Minnedosa. Investigators were initially stumped about exactly where he lived due to a number of "inconsistent" addresses associated to him, they said. That all changed Oct. 24 when Korne asked the informant to give him a lift home from Winnipeg to Boissevain, cops say. Police tailed the vehicle to an intersection in the small town. They did it again on Jan. 9, saying he was dropped off in front of a store they later discovered had two unnumbered suites on its second floor.

13th arrest in Deplete crime bust

13th arrest in Deplete crime bust Winnipeg Sun Wednesday, February 22 Police are searching for a man who might be the last person wanted in a long-term drug bust called Project Deplete. Jamie Christopher Korne, 40, was arrested in rural Manitoba on Wednesday, Winnipeg police said. He was wanted on a warrant for two counts of cocaine trafficking and had been living in Boissevain, police said previously. A police expert’s report on the Rock Machine gang presented in court in 2010 lists Korne as a former full-patch member who was asked to leave the gang after a July 2010 “run” to Dauphin. In 2009, a court in London, Ont., heard Korne was the one-time vice-president of the probationary chapter of the Bandidos in Winnipeg. Korne’s arrest was the 13th in Project Deplete following Manitoba Integrated Organized Crime Task Force raids Feb. 3. So far, David Thomas, 29, has eluded arrest. He’s wanted on charges of weapons trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime, and possession of a restricted firearm. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 786-TIPS (8477). Cops had said Thomas was the last on their list after Elmer John Deato, 26, was arrested Feb. 7. AGENT PAID $500K FOR SNITCHING Using a paid police informant was one tactic employed in the recent RCMP-Winnipeg police sweep of the drug underworld — continuing a scheme used by police in similar high-level crime probes in the recent past. An undercover agent is to be paid in the range of $500,000 for his or her role in Project Deplete, a justice source confirmed Monday. The latest sweep saw charges laid against people police accuse of being major players in the city’s drug trade. Some have gang associations, others are more “independent,” police said. Among those arrested were former Hells Angel William (Billy) Bowden and Joshua Lyons, who was convicted in Project Defence, a separate organized crime sting conducted in 2006. As well, justice officials have authorized the use of direct criminal indictments against suspects in the latest case. The bulk of those arrested so far made an initial appearance in the Court of Queen’s Bench Monday. The use of direct indictments means preliminary hearings meant to test the Crown’s evidence are bypassed. Direct indictments were also used in a 2009 crackdown into the Hells Angels-associated Zig Zag Crew gang code-named Project Divide. In that case, police paid former Zig-Zag member Michael Satsatin hundreds of thousands of dollars to inform on the criminal activities of other members. Lawyers appearing for suspects in Project Deplete Monday were given some preliminary disclosure and portable computer hard drives containing police evidence. No evidence was put forward by prosecutors on the record in court. The lawyer for Christopher Murrell, 36, said he plans to make a bail application prior to March 14 — the date Justice Brenda Keyser remanded the cases to. Jay Prober refused comment on the specifics or details of the investigation or allegations against Murrell, who is accused of cocaine-trafficking. He did state he felt the use of direct indictments was unfair to accused people. If a paid informant was used, Prober speculated, it wouldn’t be uncommon for the Crown to use the legal tactic to ensure witness safety. “If there’s an agent involved, they inevitably use direct indictments because they don’t want to bring the agent out more often than necessary,” Prober said. Nearly seven kilograms of cocaine, almost half a kilo of crack, more than 9,800 ecstasy tablets, a kilo of MDMA and large quantities of methamphetamine, oxycodone and marijuana were seized during Project Deplete, which started in August 2011. Police estimate the total street value of the drugs seized at about $1 million.

New biker gang being formed

New biker gang being formed Bitter rival of Hells Angels, but little muscle By: Bruce Owen Posted: 01/13/2011 1:00 AM

The former vice-president of the now-defunct local chapter of Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang is behind a recent move to form a new biker gang in Winnipeg to compete against the Hells Angels, police and other sources say. The formation of the Vagos in the city is part of a country-wide move to establish a second biker gang in Canada to fill a void created with the dissolution of the Bandidos and the Rock Machine, sources say. The Vagos Motorcycle Club, also known as the Green Nation, is based in southern California and is a bitter rival of the Hells Angels. Last August, the two gangs got into a daylight gunfight in Chino Valley, Ariz. Five people were injured and 27 people were arrested. Winnipeg Police Service Const. Jason Michalyshen said police are aware of the gang's presence. "Currently, there is no known membership in Winnipeg but we're continuing to monitor it," he said. However, sources say there is at least one gang member in the province and likely more waiting in the wings. A recent report said there are now about 25 members and prospects in Canada belonging to the Vagos Nomads chapter, most being in the Toronto area. The original Toronto members, formerly of the Rock Machine, joined the Vagos in late November. Sources say former Winnipeg Bandidos member Jamie "J.C." Korne is behind establishing the Vagos in the province. Until Wednesday Korne's Facebook profile sported Vagos gang colours. Korne grew up in the Maples area. Sources say it's not known if local Vagos members are openly wearing the gang's colours. A newspaper report said so far gang members in Canada are only wearing T-shirts and hoodies with gang insignia. Sources also said it's believed the Vagos will have little muscle to compete with the Hells Angels and their puppet gang, the Zig Zag Crew. Both have been hit hard by police stings over the past few years and recently had their clubhouse seized by the province, but have slowly been rebuilding despite having many members and associates still in prison. "I don't think they have the wheels to do anything," one source said of the Vagos. Korne, 40, is most known for being the vice-president of the local Bandidos as it was forming several years ago in Winnipeg under the leadership of Michael "Taz" Sandham, a former East St. Paul police officer who is now serving a life term in prison for his role in the April 2006 murders of eight fellow Bandidos bikers in rural southwestern Ontario. The eight were killed as part of an internal cleansing. What's unclear is whether the Vagos will also absorb members of the Rock Machine in Manitoba. The Rock Machine, another rival biker gang to the Hells Angels, rose in prominence locally after the demise of the Bandidos. Rock Machine members have had several violent run-ins with the Hells Angels over the past three years, one in which the local Rock Machine chapter president was severely beaten in a south Winnipeg parking lot. The most recent biker-related killing was last Nov. 1 when Daniel Benjamin Kachkan, 34, was shot dead execution-style in the back of the head in his Point Douglas home. No one has been arrested. Kachkan had been a member of the Zig Zag Crew. Who are the Vagos? The name is derived from the words "vagabonds" and "vagrants". Their origin goes back to the 1960s in southern California. They were originally called the Psychos and the Los Vagos They incorporate an image of Loki, the Norse god of mischief, in its patch or colours. The Vagos' Facebook page says the organization has approximately 600 members among 24 chapters in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and three chapters located in Mexico. Two hundred members are in Riverside County, where the gang was started. The FBI and California authorities classifies Vagos as an outlaw motorcycle club involved in methamphetamine and marijuana distribution, extortion, insurance fraud, money laundering and weapons violations.

Outlaw biker ranks growing in Alberta

EDMONTON - Seven years ago, Shannon Trottier was left with a gaping hole in her life when she watched her 34-year-old son die in her arms.

Joey Campbell, also known as Joey Morin, was rushed to hospital after he was sprayed with bullets outside a west-end strip club, but his injuries were too severe to overcome. A second man, Robert Simpson, died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

Both men were affiliated with outlaw motorcycle gangs -- at that time the Bandidos -- and the killer has yet to be brought to justice.

The shooting marks the last time any significant violence among bikers erupted on city streets and police are holding their breath it will stay that way given the province's changing biker club scene.

According to Sgt. Marc Labonte of the Edmonton Integrated Intelligence Unit for the RCMP, during the last two years, Alberta has seen one of the largest increases in outlaw motorcycle gangs across the country.

Labonte wouldn't name the specific clubs that have set up shop in the province, but he said there are now four main clubs referred to as "one-percenters" -- a term given to outlaw motorcycle clubs that aren't always just out for a good time -- as opposed to one main group with four chapters.

Two new one-percenters showed up in the last year, and each one has one to three chapters.

In addition, police have identified at least eight "puppet " clubs or associate clubs, which consists of members aspiring to become part of the main clubs, so they conduct certain business to prove themselves worthy. In early 2009, Labonte said there were maybe two or three associate clubs in the province.

The bikers are also spreading their wings.

Two or three years ago, Labonte said the one-percenters were limited to Edmonton and Calgary, but they have since spread to cities throughout the province, and it's largely attributed to the booming economy.

"The economy was good, so there was money. Where there's money, there is always a criminality," said Labonte.

Police are closely keeping tabs on the most recent outlaw motorcycle clubs to arrive in the province.

But Labonte isn't expecting an all-out turf war to erupt any time soon -- like the one going on between the Hells Angels and Rock Machine in Winnipeg, which experienced a series of firebombings and shootings, including one that put a 14-year-old boy in hospital with gunshot wounds.

In the past, some of the biker gangs in Alberta have been responsible for homicides, home invasions, drugs, prostitution, money laundering and extortion.

Labonte said there has been an increase in criminality among the clubs in recent years -- the most notable were home invasions where "somebody didn't pay up."

But often crimes such as those go undetected, making it difficult for law enforcement to get involved.

"The victim, who's a criminal usually, will not report it to police because they know what these guys can do," said Labonte, who noted biker gangs try to keep violence from spilling onto the street.

"They don't want to make a big scene. They will be very low profile because they don't want the public against them. They are like a business. They don't want to be known as bad guys."

Although police aren't concerned there will be an all-out turf war in Alberta, Mounties are cognizant things could change since many of the clubs are connected regionally and nationally.

In 2004, Criminal Intelligence Service Canada listed the Hells Angels as the largest and most powerful outlaw motorcycle gang in Canada, with approximately 500 members belonging to 34 chapters across the country, in which at least three were in Alberta.

The following year, the director of the Criminal Intelligence Service of Alberta told the Sun that the Hells Angels wouldn't allow any competitors to set up shop in Alberta.

But police believe the momentum has changed since then.

Labonte noted there are about five or six one-percenters in the U.S.

Alberta now has four of them -- and they seem to be talking to and negotiating with each other.

Police have heard of instances where one group has stolen another group's patch, which sends a message they are not allowed to be here.

So far the bikers seem to be using the gesture as a way to start talking to one another and lay grounds for respect, said Labonte. Whether those talks are peaceful remains to be seen.

"It's always troublesome. It happened in Edmonton and a small rural community, so now we have to be careful because that could escalate," said Labonte. "Some of them are into criminality. It doesn't mean they are all into criminality."

MEMBER SAYS NOT ALL BIKER CLUBS ARE BAD

He's a Warlock, and he's proud of it.

Sporting a shaved head and goatee, arms filled with tattoos, a wristband with spikes and a black leather vest with the club's patches, he looks the part of a tough biker you don't want to have on your bad side.

But the biker, who did not want to reveal his true identity, is trying to shed the stereotypes associated with being part of a motorcycle club and insists it's about the brotherhood more than anything else.

"We're not a gang, we're a motorcycle club. We are not criminals. You can't be a Warlock if you're a criminal," said the biker. "It's like any organization. Yes, we have our bad apples, everybody does. But we take steps to ensure that you are thrown out or stripped of your patch. Not everybody is bad."

The Warlocks have been on police radar since at least 2005, but didn't officially establish their first Canadian chapter until last November.

The club is known as a "one-percenter" with roots that trace back to the U.S., particularly Pennsylvania and Orlando, and with chapters in Germany and England.

The Alberta chapter is the first and only Canadian chapter thus far. The club's website states "the Warlocks motorcycle club is a strong brotherhood of serious motorcycle riders and is not for everyone. We are not a social weekend riding club, we are a brotherhood of bikers that take riding and flying our colours very serious."

Although the biker is pleased the Warlocks are now established in Canada, he said existing motorcycle clubs have not all been receptive to their arrival.

"We have no problems with nobody," he said. "We told them that we were here, we're not involved in anything, we're not doing anything."

According to the biker, members of the club get together to ride and to raise money for charity. He spends his days working in construction and does volunteer community service during some of his off hours.

The biker said he's always been part of the motorcycle club community. When he retired from the military, he missed the friendship and camaraderie, so he sought out others who had like interests and he found a brotherhood in the Warlocks.

His most prized possession, of course, is his Harley. And there's no greater feeling than riding down the highway on his "baby" with his buddies at his side, he added.

"When you ride you feel free. There are no worries. Just the wind in your face, everything is great," said the biker.

"It's a sense of belonging. It's a network of brothers that will do anything for you and it's a nice feeling. You know that no matter what, no matter where, there's a brother there.

BY THE NUMBERS

4 main "one percenter" or big motorcycle clubs.

8 "puppet" or associate clubs have also been identified by police.

14 leisure riding clubs have been identified.

* According to police, most outlaw motorcycle clubs require at least six to eight main patch-wearing members. Usually an aspiring biker has to know somebody for five years before they become a one-percenter. The main clubs in Alberta have anywhere from six to 15 members, who have strict rules to obey.

* Biker clubs that have surfaced in Alberta in the past include Hells Angels, Warlocks, Bandidos and Rock Machine.