OFF THE WIRE
James Turner
winnipegsun.com
Despite major efforts by Winnipeg cops and RCMP to infiltrate the Hells Angels and support clubs in recent years, the gang has remained the dominant outlaw biker club in Manitoba.
As well, the Hells’ high-ranking position in Manitoba’s criminal underworld doesn’t appear to have been hampered by a violent conflict with rivals the Rock Machine — apparently over who controls portions of the provincial drug trade, police believe.
And that may largely be because a new so-called “puppet club” was waiting in the wings.
These and other details of police intelligence regarding the history and activities of the Hells Angels and its support clubs are found in a police statement of opinion recently tabled in court and obtained by the Winnipeg Sun.
The report, authored by Winnipeg organized crime Det. Wes Law, was tendered during a Court of Appeal hearing for Justin MacLeod, who police claim to be the president of the Redlined — a Hell’s Angels-affiliated biker gang cops say rose to prominence in the wake of the Zig Zag Crew being “decimated” in a December 2009 police raid that netted a large number of arrests and convictions.
Redlined ultimately became the “soldiers” for the Hells in the so-called “biker war” with the Rock Machine that has been waged on and off since 2010, cops said. As of Feb. 22, the date the report was written, the HA remains the dominant gang, cops said.
“Despite their violence and conflicts with the Rock Machine, the Hells Angels — Manitoba Chapter remain the dominant motorcycle gang in Winnipeg and Manitoba,” Law writes.
Police confirm in the report they believe the biker conflict directly relates to who controls illegal drug markets.
When the majority of Zig Zag crew members were arrested in a long-term police effort dubbed “Project Divide” in December 2009, the Rock Machine appeared to have seen an opportunity to take over, Law said.
“Numerous street sources indicate that the conflicts between the Hells Angels and Rock Machine stem from the Rock Machine’s (desire) to move in on the Hells Angels established drug market and overtake the Hells Angels ... as the dominant outlaw motorcycle gang in Winnipeg and Manitoba,” states Law.
It appears the HA responded by tasking the Redlined crew with becoming the gang’s street-level enforcement, cops say.
“Redlined members assumed more responsibility; and have to perform the duties that the Zig Zag Crew had been responsible for,” said Law.
“Redlined members were tasked by the Hells Angels with fighting ... the Rock Machine and its support gang Vendetta,” said Law.
Redlined’s main source of revenue is mid- to street-level drug dealing and purchases cocaine from the HA for that purpose, Law said.
The biker conflict has led to more than 50 violent acts since the Rock Machine came on cops’ radar in January 2010, police said. “The incidents of violence have included and are not limited to shootings, fire bombings and beatings,” said Law.
REDLINE FLATLINED?
It remains unclear if police busts of Hells Angels and Redlined members and associates late last week will ultimately derail the gangs from their current position of dominance.
Friday, police revealed details of Project Flatlined, where more than 150 officers raided Winnipeg homes and a business, netting a number of arrests of Redlined and Hells Angels members — and a promise of more arrests to come.
The collars included brothers Dale and Rod Sweeney, both full patch Hells Angels, according to cops.
Dale Sweeney, 41, faces a laundry list of charges, including that he allegedly instructed 18 others — including an unknown suspect with the alias of “Speedball” — in coke trafficking and money laundering operations for the benefit of a criminal organization.
Police admitted the HA and Redlined control a good portion of the drug trade in Manitoba, but said they expect the busts to have a significant impact on their ability to operate.
“It should hinder the organization,” said Insp. Rick Guyader at the time. “They’ll have to shut down until they can recruit some other people into their line of business.”
Cops contend the Redlined support crew was established by the Hells Angels to control and defend the crack cocaine trade primarily in the Elmwood, East Kildonan and North Kildonan area of Winnipeg.
— Turner