Police execute search warrant at Hells Angels clubhouse in Kitchener

Five people associated with the Hells Angels motorcycle gang are facing charges after police raided two homes and two unlicensed bars in Waterloo Region.

Ontario Provincial Police and Waterloo Regional Police conducted the searches on May 11, May 13 and May 21.

But the case started much earlier.

“The investigation began several months ago in response to complaints about violence surrounding an after-hours bar or an illegal bar,” said Insp. Scott Wade with the OPP’s Biker Enforcement Unit. “As the Waterloo Regional Police investigated it, they learned that there was an association or connection to the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.”

278 and 272 Weber Street West in Kitchener on May 11, 2024. (Hannah Schmidt/CTV Kitchener)

On May 11, neighbours near 278 and 272 Weber Street West in Kitchener saw a large police presence at the Hells Angels clubhouse around 3 a.m.

CTV News reached out to both Waterloo Regional Police and OPP but officials couldn’t share any details at that time.

In a media release sent out Wednesday, OPP confirmed that four Hells Angels associates and a ‘hangaround’ were arrested. A hangaround is a person who, while not considered a full associate of the motorcycle gang, may be working towards membership.

Two people from Kitchener, a 46-year-old and 28-year-old, are jointly charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, knowledge of possession of an unauthorized firearm and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

A 37-year-old Cambridge man, meanwhile, is charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, as well as two counts for offering to sell or selling liquor contrary to the Liquor Licence and Control Act.

A 44-year-old Kitchener man is also facing a total of three charges. They include: possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking cocaine, and offering to sell or selling liquor contrary to the Liquor Licence and Control Act.

Another Kitchener man, 39, is charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and offering to sell or selling liquor contrary to the Liquor Licence and Control Act.

OPP said officers recovered a restricted handgun and approximately one kilogram of suspected cocaine during the search of the Kitchener homes.

A handgun and holster sit on a table after an investigation into the Hells Angels gang in Waterloo Region. (Submitted: Ontario Provincial Police)

A large quantity of alcohol and electronic devices were also seized.

According to OPP, illegal bars are one way the group makes money.

"The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is an OMG (Outlaw Motorcycle Gang) that uses their interest in motorcycles as a cover for illegal activities including drug trafficking, fraud, counterfeiting, money laundering, contraband smuggling, extortion, violence, and illegal gambling,” Wade explained in the media release.

A bag of evidence and two stacks of Canadian and American currency sit on a table after an investigation into the Hells Angels gang in Waterloo Region. (Submitted: Ontario Provincial Police)

He also warned that members tend to make bad neighbours.

“In my opinion, they should be very careful,” Wade told CTV News. “Violence follows outlaw motorcycle gangs. We saw a 60 per cent increase in violent occurrences involving outlaw motorcycle gangs between 2022 and 2023.”

The May raids were executed with help from the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (London), OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (Windsor), OPP Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team, OPP Provincial Auto Theft and Towing Team, OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit, OPP Emergency Response Team, WRPS Criminal Intelligence Branch, WRPS Emergency Response Team, WRPS Direct Action Response Teamand WRPS Uniform Division.

OPP said their investigation is ongoing and are encouraging anyone with information on illegal activity associated with outlaw motorcycle gangs to call 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

- With reporting by Jeff Pickel