Canada, Life as a Hells Angel: an exclusive pleasure club

OFF THE WIRE
BY: John Musselman
Source: toronto.ctv.ca
The public was given a rare glimpse into the insular and exclusive world of the notorious Hells Angels biker gang during court proceedings on Tuesday.
The revelations, including tales of drugs, international travel and violence, were made as an undercover police informant appeared in front of a judge. The identity of the informant, who was a patch member of the gang for seven years, cannot be revealed.
The court case is in connection to a police raid on the downtown Toronto Hells Angels back in April of 2007. Following the raid, five men were charged with guns and drug offences.
In court, the informant said that the house was equipped with high-tech security cameras that monitored the property. The front door was made out of thick concrete and steel, which were intended to block police from ramming their way inside.
There were also concrete pillars out front of the home which also impeded access to the inner sanctum.
Inside the home, court heard that the bikers would drink beer, smoke pot and sniff cocaine, and also conduct business meetings. The code for the meetings was "going to church," court heard.
The five accused in the case include the president of the Downtown Toronto Hells Angels and four other members of the club.
In court, the agent said that being a part of the Hells Angels was like being part of an exclusive club – with plenty of benefits.
For one, the informant said that he was able to travel the world knowing that there would be a place to stay in almost every city. Places like Australia or South Africa were offered as exotic getaways where connections existed.
"It's like McDonalds," the key witness told the court. "Anywhere you go in the world, you can get a Big Mac."
The accused in the case have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. The trial continues.
With a report from CTV's John Musselman