Canada, Hells Angels clubhouse case will go to trial in 2011

OFF THE WIRE
Source: canada.com
Staff Reporter, Nanaimo Daily News
A trial regarding Nanaimo's Hells Angels clubhouse is expected to take place next year, now that a B.C. court dismissed a group of Hells Angels' appeal of the B.C. Civil Forfeiture office's seizure of their Nanaimo clubhouse.
The province used the Civil Forfeiture Act to seize the clubhouse in November of 2007. Under the controversial act, the B.C. Supreme Court can order the seizure of property if it's believed to have been acquired with crime money or used for crime.
During the seizure, police also took three Harley-Davidson motorcycles, a number of unregistered shotguns stored in an unlocked gun case in a closet and a .25 calibre restricted handgun located in an insecure main floor locker.
The company that owned the property -- Angel Acres Recreation and Festival Property Ltd. -- appealed the decision arguing that the judge who initially authorized the property seizure, made a number of errors.
It was also argued that the seizure was a disproportionate response and the property should be available for use under specified terms.
But earlier this week, the B.C. Court of Appeal dismissed their appeal.
Now a court will decide whether the clubhouse can be seized by the province during a trial expected to begin next year.
The B.C. Civil Forfeiture office was established in 2006 to seize the proceeds of unlawful activity.
The office has seized $13 million to date.