Canada, Hells Angel testifies against his own

OFF THE WIRE
BY: SAM PAZZANO
Source: torontosun.com
A former Hells Angels executive who once had the job of ensuring security from police detection admitted he became an agent dedicated to busting his biker brothers.
David Atwell was the former sergeant-at-arms — the man in charge of security — for the Toronto Hells Angels motorcycle club a few years ago.
The burly biker was supposed to ensure their meetings were secure and safe from police surveillance or wire-tapping.
Atwell began testifying Tuesday against three executives and two members of the Toronto chapter who are accused of drug and gun trafficking conspiracy charges.
He described the inner workings of the outlaw biker gang, including the sign language and coded terms they used to evade detection from the police.
John “Winner” Neal, president of the downtown Toronto Hells Angels Club (HAMC), vice-presidents Larry Pooler and Douglas Myles, and members Mehrdad “Juicy” Bahman and Lorne Campbell face various criminal conspiracy charges connected to trafficking of cocaine, liquid ecstasy and guns in 2005 through 2007. They are also charged with the commission of the same crimes in association with a criminal organization, the Hells Angels.
Neal and Pooler, both 60, Campbell, 62, Bahman, 48, and Myles, 54, have pleaded not guilty to these charges.
Atwell, who used to sell cocaine at a Scarborough restaurant frequented only by associates and affiliates, said he had no fear of being caught. And Atwell also told the jury he had no worries that other drug dealers would dare try to sell inside his designated location.
“As a Hells Angels (member) you get scrutinized as they take great efforts to ensure there are no police officers who get into the club — no one infiltrates,” said Atwell.
And other motorcycle gang members cannot penetrate their commercial territory without suffering some brutal consequences, he said.
A Vagabond motorcycle gang member named “Gene” tried to push drugs there. Atwell was ordered to rough up the intruder and warn him to never try to sell drugs there again.
“And I did,” he told the jury.
Atwell worked secretly over the course of 18 months, but police were forced to shut down the undercover operation against the downtown Toronto chapter when the outlaw bikers sensed a traitor loomed in their ranks, a Superior Court jury heard on Monday.
The trial continues Wednesday.