CFSEU-BC & BC RCMP FSOC seize cache of guns, drugs, and explosives, with 41 charges being laid against Hells Angels members and their associate

B.C., Federal Serious and Organized Crime

2022-12-08 14:00 PST

File # 2018-062

Multiple Charges Laid Against Alleged Drug Traffickers associated to the Hells Angels on Vancouver Island.

Victoria, B.C. – The Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) has approved 41 counts of criminal charges against a number of alleged drug traffickers, including members of the Hells Angels, as a result of a Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) led investigation in partnership with the RCMP’s Federal Serious Organized Crime (FSOC) unit. The investigation that began in 2018 resulted in the seizure of 22 firearms, over 13 kg of various illegal drugs, and arrests that helped prevent the expansion of Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) Chapters on Vancouver Island.

In June, 2018, CFSEU-BC’s Island team entered into a Joint Forces Operation (JFO) with the RCMP’s Federal Serious Organized Crime (FSOC) unit targeting the criminal networks of members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in Nanaimo and their support clubs, the Savages MC and Devils Army MC and their alleged drug trafficking operation on Vancouver Island. The investigation employed various investigative techniques, gathering information over several months that led investigators to believe the Hells Angels intended to expand their drug trafficking operations and create other Hells Angels chapters on Vancouver Island.

Over a period of approximately 22 months, evidence was obtained that progressed the investigation leading to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) approving a total of 41 charges against four individuals on November 30, 2022.

The following were seized during the course of the investigation:

• Cocaine – 7.75 kg
• Methamphetamine – 1.9 kg
• Cannabis – 4 kg
• Pills – 248 Oxycodone
• Other CDSA (can be buff, etc) 1.2 kg (cutting agents
• Hand guns – 1 Uzi, 5 pistols
• Long guns – 12 Rifles, 4 shotguns
• Magazines – 6 oversized prohibited
• Ammunition – in excess of 4500 rounds
• 25 electronic devices
• 5 tubes of commercial emulsion explosives
  In addition, one residence has been restrained and three motor vehicles were seized as offence related property.
  The following four individuals have been charged:

- Sean Oliver Douglas Kendall, a 44- year-old male from Port Alberni, has been charged with the following offences:

• 3 counts of unlawfully selling cannabis to an undercover police officer contrary to section 10(1)(a) of the Cannabis Act.
• 4 counts of unlawfully trafficking a controlled substance, cocaine, contrary to Section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

- Kristopher Stephen Smith, a 44-year-old male from Nanaimo, has been charged with the following offences:

• 2 counts of unlawfully trafficking a controlled substance, cocaine, contrary to Section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
• 1 count of possess a non-restricted firearm, without being the holder of a licence under which he may possess the firearm, contrary to Section 91(1) of the Criminal Code
• 1 count of unlawfully transfer a non-restricted firearm, knowing that he was not authorized to do so under the Firearms Act, or any other Act of Parliament or any regulation made under any Act of Parliament, contrary to Section 99(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
• 1 count of unlawfully traffic in a controlled substance, oxycodone, contrary to Section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
• 1 count of unlawfully transfer a prohibited firearm, knowing that they were not authorized to do so under the Firearms Act, or any other Act of Parliament or any regulation made under any Act of Parliament, contrary to Section 99(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.

- William Bradley Thompson, a 58-year-old male from Ladysmith, has been charged with the following offences:

• 1 count of unlawfully transfer a prohibited firearm, gun, knowing that they were not authorized to do so under the Firearms Act, or any other Act of Parliament or any regulation made under any Act of Parliament, contrary to Section 99(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
• 3 counts possess an unloaded prohibited firearm, together with readily accessible ammunition capable of being discharged in the firearm, without being the holder of an authorization or licence under which he may possess the firearm in that place and a registration certificate for the firearm, contrary to Section 95(1) of the Criminal Code.
• 1 count possess an unloaded restricted firearm, together with readily accessible ammunition capable of being discharged in the firearm, without being the holder of an authorization or a licence under which he may possess the restricted firearm in that place and a registration certificate for the firearm, contrary to Section 95(1) of the Criminal Code.
• 1 count possess restricted firearms, without being the holder of a licence under which he may possess the firearms and a registration certificate for the firearms, contrary to Section 91(1) of the Criminal Code.
• 1 count possess non-restricted firearms, without being the holder of a licence under which he may possess the firearms, contrary to Section 91(1) of the Criminal Code.
• 2 counts possess a prohibited device, knowing that he was not the holder of a licence under which he may possess it, contrary to Section 92(2) of the Criminal Code.
• 1 count possess firearms, prohibited devices, and ammunition, while he was prohibited from doing so by an order made under the Criminal Code, contrary to Section 117.01(1) of the Criminal Code.
• 1 count unlawfully possess a controlled substance, cocaine, for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

- William Karl Paulsen, a 51-year-old male from Campbell River, has been charged with the following offences:

• 15 counts of unlawfully trafficking a controlled substance, cocaine, contrary to Section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• 1 count of unlawfully trafficking a controlled substance, methamphetamine, contrary to Section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• 1 count without lawful excuse have in his possession six tubes of Senatel Magnafrac explosives, an explosive substance, contrary to Section 82(1) of the Criminal Code.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Smith, Paulsen, and Kendall. If anyone has any information in connection to the location of these men, please contact your local police or Crime Stoppers. Thompson has been arrested and was released awaiting the court process.

The results of this proactive joint investigation led by the CFSEU-BC disrupted an alleged significant drug trafficking network and the Hells Angels from expanding on Vancouver Island.

This lengthy and complex investigation spanned over 4 years and included over 50 dedicated resources resulting in significant seizures of potentially deadly drugs and serious charges, says Assistant Commissioner Manny Mann, Chief Officer for CFSEU-BC. Our mandate and ability to work with our partner agencies to investigate across multiple jurisdictions allows us to investigate gang members and groups who impact public safety in multiple communities.

By successfully bringing this joint force operation to prosecution, BC RCMP FSOC, and CFSEU-BC have demonstrated our collective ability to effectively collaborate across federal and provincial lines in order to fulfill our shared mandate of protecting BC, against the most serious threats, said Superintendent Richard Bergevin, Officer in Charge of BC RCMP Federal Policing – FSOC Major Projects.

Original article drafted by CFSEU-BC Media Spokesperson: Sergeant. Brenda Winpenny

Brenda.Winpenny@cfseu.bc.ca

Phone: (604) 838-6800

Released by

Cpl. Arash Seyed

Email: bcfederalmedia@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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