WINNIPEG – The province of Manitoba has designated the Hells Angels a criminal organization following a lengthy legal process.
The designation means the biker group will be added to Manitoba’s Schedule of Criminal Organizations, which means prosecutors no longer have to prove the Hells Angels is a criminal organization in each case where gang-related charges are laid under provincial law.
“The response to organized crime must be organized justice,” Manitoba Justice Minister Andrew Swan said at a news conference about the move.
“Organized crime is not welcome in Manitoba,” added RCMP D Division assistant commissioner Kevin Brosseau.
Attorney General Andrew Swan says Manitoba is the first jurisdiction in North America to take the action.
The change does not affect criminal code cases, but makes it much easier for the province to seize property from gang members and evict them from houses.
“When there was a need to prove the finding of a criminal organization it could take days and days of court time,” said Swan.
Swan first announced the plan to designate the Hells Angels as a criminal organization last May and the application was reviewed by a three-member panel.
The Hells Angels did not file any objections, Swan said.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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